Allelochemistry in marine macroalgae

Allelochemistry refers to the effect of an organic compound released from one organism upon an organism separated from its source. When the donor and receptor are plants (or microorganisms placed in the plant kingdom), allelopathy is described whether the effect is harmful or beneficial. In the aquatic environment, water disperses any water‐soluble allelochemical from its point of release, and rapid dilution along with lack of contact between competing organisms reduces potential encounter. This review centers on macroalgae as the source of allelochemicals. In all examples, the releasor organism is a macroalga, but receptor organisms include algae, invertebrates, fish, and microbes. Direct evidence in the sea is scanty, and there is a need for appropriate experiments in the laboratory and field. The compounds that are released by macrolagae (e.g., polyphenolics, halogenated phenols, and terpenoids) may be fortuitous byproducts of metabolism. But where they alter colonization, growth, or reproduction in a target organism, it is conceivable that they influence community structure as is known for terrestrial systems. The potential for allelochemistry is maximized in sites where water is poorly mixed, allowing released algal products to concentrate (e.g., tide pools and backbays) and where the receptor organism is adjacent to the releasor (e.g., surfaces of thalli and seaweed farms). In combination with restricting environmental conditions (e.g., critical temperature, light, salinity, pH, or oxygen), the effect of allelopathy can be synergistic. Combinations of allelochemicals, each at a concentration too low to be physiologically effective, could have a pronounced impact.