| Abstract: | The growth yields of 8 species of red and 4 species of green algae, collected from various vertical levels on the western Atlantic (New Jersey) shore, were investigated in a range of emersion-submersion regimes in the laboratory. The sinusoidal tide-simulating apparatus consisted of a plexiglass frame connected by a nylon thread to a rotating wheel, powered by an electric motor geared to make one revolution every 12 h. Inocula of settled spores on glass cover-glasses were placed at 6 levels on the frame and alternately raised out of, and lowered into, a seawater tank every 6 h with consequent subjection to 0, 18, 37, 58, 79, and 100% submergence regimes per tidal cycle. There was little correlation between the vertical position of a species on the shore in nature and its ability to grow as the percentage submergence per tidal cycle increased. All species tested grew best when continuously submerged, even those that are usually restricted to elevated positions on the shore in nature. The majority grew well in all regimes in which there was some submergence per tidal cycle, except for one sublittoral species (Callithamnion byssoides) whose growth decreased sharply as the percentage exposure to the air was increased. |
