The temperature and light responses of photosynthesis in two freshwater red algae, Virescentia helminthosa and Sheathia arcuata (Batrachospermaceae), were determined by a pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) chlorophyll fluorometer and dissolved oxygen sensors. Net oxygenic photosynthesis–photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) models of V. helminthosa and S. arcuata revealed similar low PAR-adapted responses, with a compensation PAR (Ec) of 6.95 and 11.5 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (5.58–8.42 and 9.10–11.42, 95% Bayesian prediction interval, BPI) and saturating PAR (Ek) of 18.8 and 17.7 μmol photons m−2 s−1 (14.5–24.7 and 13.0–23.90, BPI), respectively. A temperature-dependent model of net photosynthesis and dark respiration for two species also showed similar temperature responses, and the gross photosynthetic rate (GPmax), 1.79 and 1.19 μg O2 gww−1 min−1 (1.62–1.96 and 1.08–1.29, BPI), was highest at 26.4 and 30.3 °C (23.9–28.7 and 28.3–32.1, BPI). The maximum quantum yields (Fv/Fm) for two species also had similar responses with respect to temperature; however, it was generally stable at low temperatures (8–20 °C) with the highest value of 0.52 and 0.56 (0.49–0.54 and 0.54–0.58, BPI) occurring at 18.5 and 20.9 °C (17.1–19.7 and 19.8–21.9, BPI). Continuous exposure (12 h) to PAR of 100 (low) and 1000 (high) μmol photons m−2 s−1 at 12, 16, and 24 °C revealed greater declines in their effective quantum yield (ΦPSII) in the two species under high PAR. Nevertheless, their Fv/Fm mostly recovered after a subsequent 12-h dim-light acclimation, suggesting the potential of recovery from daytime chronic photoinhibition.
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