Physiological performance of three calcifying green macroalgae Halimeda species in response to altered seawater temperatures

Abstract

The effects of seawater temperature on the physiological performance of three Halimeda species were studied for a period of 28 d. Five treatments were established for Halimeda cylindracea, Halimeda opuntia and Halimeda lacunalis, in triplicate aquaria representing a factorial temperature with 24°C, 28°C, 32°C, 34°C and 36°C, respectively. The average Fv/Fm of these species ranged from 0.732 to 0.756 between 24°C and 32°C but declined sharply between 34°C (0.457±0.035) and 36°C (0.122±0.014). Calcification was highest at 28°C, with net calcification rates (Gnet) of (20.082±2.482) mg/(g•d), (12.825±1.623) mg/(g•d) and (6.411±1.029) mg/(g•d) for H. cylindracea, H. opuntia and H. lacunalis, respectively. Between 24°C and 32°C, the specific growth rate (SGR) of H. lacunalis (0.079%–0.110% d–1) was lower than that of H. cylindracea (0.652%–1.644% d–1) and H. opuntia (0.360%–1.527% d–1). Three Halimeda species gradually bleached at 36°C during the study period. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline levels in tissues of the three Halimeda were higher in 34–36°C than those in 24–32°C. The results indicate that seawater temperature with range of 24–32°C could benefit the growth and calcification of these Halimeda species, however, extreme temperatures above 34°C have negative impacts. The measured physiological parameters also revealed that H. cylindracea and H. opuntia displayed broader temperature tolerance than H. lacunalis.