Photosynthetic activity in two heteromorphic life‐history stages of a freshwater red alga, Thorea gaudichaudii (Thoreales) from Japan, in response to an irradiance and temperature gradient

Abstract

SUMMARYWe determined the effect of irradiance and temperature on the photosynthesis of two heteromorphic life‐history stages of an endangered freshwater red alga, Thorea gaudichaudii (Thoreales) by laboratory and field measurements. Net oxygenic photosynthesis–irradiance models of macroscopic and microscopic life‐history stages revealed similar low irradiance‐adapted responses, with a compensation irradiance (Ec) of 6.71 and 2.56 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (4.30–9.13 and 0.13–7.19, 95% Bayesian prediction interval, BPI) and saturating irradiance (Ek) of 26.6 and 30.0 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (19.0–37.4 and 12.1–63.0, BPI), respectively. A temperature‐dependent model of net photosynthesis and dark respiration in macroscopic and microscopic stages also showed similar temperature responses, and the gross photosynthetic rate (GPmax), 3.54 and 6.34 μg O2 gww−1 min−1 (3.10–3.99 and 5.31–8.21, BPI), was highest at 32.1 and 35.7°C (29.8–34.0 and 29.5–48.6, BPI). The maximum quantum yields (F v/F m) in macroscopic and microscopic stages were also similar in response with respect to temperature; however, it was somewhat steady at low temperatures with the highest value of 0.54 and 0.62 (0.54–0.55 and 0.61–0.63, BPI) at 17.8 and 15.0°C (16.7–18.8 and 12.3–17.1, BPI). The effective quantum yield (Φ PSII) in macroscopic and microscopic stages was also negatively correlated with irradiance, which decreased after 12 h of continuous exposure to 50 (low) and 1000 (high) μmol photons m−2 s−1 at 12 and 22°C. Large declines of Φ PSII and subsequent failure of F v/F m recovery were particularly enhanced at high irradiance, signifying photoinhibition. Diurnal change of Φ PSII and incident irradiance of the macroscopic stage under the field measurement revealed the midday depression of Φ PSII; however, there was little direct sunlight due to shading by the trees, and algae were occurring in the shaded locations in the freshwater spring.