Corallina Elongata Research Articles

Community primary production and calcification in a NW Mediterranean ecosystem dominated by calcareous macroalgae

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 334:37-45 (2007) - doi:10.3354/meps334037 Community primary production and calcification in a NW Mediterranean ecosystem dominated by calcareous macroalgae Nathaniel Bensoussan1,*, Jean-Pierre Gattuso2 1Laboratoire Diversité, évolution et écologie fonctionnelle marine, CNRS—Université de la Méditerranée, Centre d’Océanologie de Marseille, Station Marine d’Endoume, rue Batterie des Lions, 13007 Marseille, France 2Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche, CNRS—Université de Paris 6, BP 28, 06234 Villefranche-sur-mer Cedex, France *Email: nathaniel.bensoussan@univmed.fr ABSTRACT: The community metabolism of a shallow infralittoral ecosystem dominated by the calcareous macroalgae Corallina elongata was investigated in Marseilles (NW Mediterranean), by monitoring hourly changes of seawater pH and total alkalinity over 6 d in February 2000. Fair weather conditions prevailed over the study period as indicated by oceanographic (temperature, salinity, and current velocity and direction) and meteorological variables, which validated the standing water hypothesis. This temperate ecosystem exhibited high community gross primary production (GPP = 519 ± 106 mmol C m–2 d–1, n = 6) and also supported high rates of community respiration (R). As a result, the system was slightly autotrophic (net community production, NCP = 20 mmol C m–2 d–1), with a GPP/R ratio of 1.06. NCP exhibited circadian variations with 2- to 3-fold changes in community respiration, both in the light and in the dark. Rates of net community calcification also exhibited circadian variations, with positive rates (up to 24 mmol CaCO3 m–2 h–1) for irradiance values >300 W m–2 (about 1380 µmol photon m–2 s–1). Below this irradiance threshold, net community dissolution prevailed. Daily net calcification (G) was on average 8 mmol CaCO3 m–2 d–1. CO2 fluxes generated by primary production, respiration, and calcification suggest that the study site was a potential atmospheric CO2 sink of 15 mmol CO2 m–2 d–1 at the time of measurement. KEY WORDS: Ecosystem metabolism · Primary production · Respiration · Calcification · Calcareous macroalgae · Corallina elongata · pH · Total alkalinity · TA Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 334. Online publication date: March 26, 2007 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2007 Inter-Research.

Assessing a Quick Monitoring Method Using Rocky Intertidal Communities as a Bioindicator: A Multivariate Approach in Algeciras Bay

A multivariate approach was used to test the value of intertidal communities as a bioindicator of environmental conditions at Algeciras Bay, southern Spain. The study area is located in the Strait of Gibraltar and it is subjected to a variety of anthropic impacts. Eight localities (5 inside and 3 outside the bay) were selected, and four transects were undertaken in each locality to characterise the fauna and flora. The spatial distribution of the intertidal species reflected the physico-chemical conditions of Algeciras Bay. The stations located outside the bay, characterised by high hydrodynamism and dissolved oxygen and low sedimentation and turbidity, had a higher diversity and species richness than the inner stations. According to the BIO-ENV procedure and CCA, water turbidity was the factor which best correlated with the intertidal assemblages. SIMPER showed that the molluscs Chtamalus stellatus, Mytilus cf edulis, Littorina neritoides and Balanus perforatus, and the algae Gelidium pusillum, Corallina elongata, Asparagopsis armata, Colpomenia sinuosa and Fucus spiralis were the species that most contributed to the dissimilarity between internal and external sites. The present study, based on the spatial distribution of intertidal taxa, yielded similar results to those previously obtained in the area with costly physico-chemical analysis based on complex matrices of subtidal epifaunal communities. Consequently, the intertidal sampling method proposed in this study is presented here as a quick, effective alternative strategy, and can be useful in environmental monitoring programs, since these communities are easily accessible and amenable to sample, and the sessile nature of the majority of the species makes future, long-term monitoring relatively simple.

Estimation of photosynthesis and calcification rates of <i>Corallina elongata</i> Ellis and Solander, 1786, by measurements of dissolved oxygen, pH and total alkalinity

Experiments were conducted on the calcareous red alga, Corallina elongata, a species representative of shallow water vegetal cover in Mediterranean areas with biomass ranging from 820 to 2544 gDW.m-2, in order to estimate its productivity and calcification rates. Carbonate and oxygen budgets were estimated on samples incubated in situ under natural light cycles, by measuring initial and final dissolved oxygen, pH and alkalinity levels. In light conditions, oxygen concentrations and pH values increased as a consequence of oxygen production and carbon dioxide consumption due to the productivity process, and were a direct function of sample biomass. Strictly-reverse dynamics were recorded in dark conditions. A comparison of photosynthetic performances was conducted on a non-calcareous green alga, Ulva rigida, which showed higher rates of oxygen production and pH modification than C. elongata, but no significant change in total alkalinity. For C. elongata, a significant decrease in total alkalinity with incubation time was observed under light conditions, which was directly related to the algal sample biomass (R2 = 0.95; n=16). Light to dark calcification ratio (L/D) was about 3.6. In these experiments, the photosynthetic quotient of C. elongata was 0.89, its net carbon productivity was 2.5 g C.m-2.d-1, gross production to daily respiration (Pg/R) was about 4.9 and its calcification rate was estimated at 13.8 g CaCO3.m-2.d-1.

Use of serially coupled capillary columns with different polarity of stationary phases for the separation of the natural complex volatile mixture of the marine red alga Corallina elongata.

Separation of a complex of natural volatile compounds using serially coupled capillary columns with different polarity of stationary phases by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from the medicinal marine red alga Corallina elongata is reported. Nearly 200 hydrocarbons, halogen compounds, fatty acids, and other metabolites were found. Using this gas chromatography procedure we demonstrate the successful separation of different volatile organic compounds.

Potentially toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate assemblages on macroalgae in the NW Mediterranean

A potentially toxic epiphytic dinoflagellate assemblage on macroalgae was studied for 1 yr in a shallow protected rocky habitat in Palamos (Costa Brava, NW Mediterranean). The assem- blage was monitored on 4 macroalgae: Corallina elongata (Rhodophyceae), Dictyota dichotoma, Dilo- phus fasciola and Halopteris scoparia (Phaeophyceae). The dominant dinoflagellates were Ostreop- sis sp., and the accompanying species were Coolia monotis and Prorocentrum lima. The diatom Coscinodiscus sp. was an abundant component of the assemblage. Ostreopsis followed the same sea- sonal pattern on the 4 macroalgae selected. Substrate was not significantly different for the dinofla- gellate assemblages. Ostreopsis was present both in the water column and in the sand concomitant with maximal cell densities on macroalgae. Small-scale sampling revealed that all the epiphytic organisms prefer slightly shaken habitats. While Ostreopsis sp. prefers shaken to slightly shaken waters, Coolia monotis prefers slightly shaken to calm ones. The dinoflagellate assemblage follows a clear seasonal pattern, achieving maximum cell concentration during spring and summer without significant relative changes in the species composition. The epiphytic assemblage was widespread along the Catalan coast and Majorca, although dinoflagellates were found to be more abundant in the Costa Brava. In Corsica, diatoms dominated the assemblage, whereas Ostreopsis sp. was a minor component.

Phytobenthic Intertidal Community Structure Along an Environmental Pollution Gradient

The intertidal vegetation of the “Abra de Bilbao” (Basque coast, N Spain) was studied following a pollution gradient. Under the effect of pollution, several signs of alteration are detected in the vegetation, which responds by simplifying its structure. Species which require high quality environmental characteristics such as Cystoseira tamariscifolia, Cystoseira baccata, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Gelidium sesquipedale, Gigartina pistillata and Laurencia obtusa disappear, whereas Corallina elongata, Chondria coerulescens, Caulacanthus ustulatus and Gelidium pusillum become dominant in successive steps as pollution increases. In general, large perennial algae are replaced by small turfing algae. In addition, an intensification of the herbivorous activity (mainly limpets) occurs on the soft caespitose vegetation. Species richness and algal abundance suffer a reduction. In the most degraded environmental conditions, vegetation is replaced by filter-feeders (mussels and barnacles), and cyanobacteria proliferate. Pollution also alters the zonation pattern reducing in the number of vegetation belts.

Effects of solar radiation on the photosynthetic activity of the red alga Corallina elongata Ellis et Soland

The photoinhibition of photosynthesis was investigated in two morphotypes of the red alga Corallina elongata, i.e. sun and shade types, using pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence and oxygen evolution. The contents of chlorophyll, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin and soluble protein were analysed. Exposure to solar radiation caused a strong decrease in the effective photosynthetic quantum yield. This decline was more pronounced in the shade than in the sun morphotype. The plants partially recovered from this effect, indicating that it was mainly due to reversible photoinhibition and, to a smaller extent, non-reversible photodamage. Photoinhibition occurred in this alga even in its natural habitat when the sun was at high angles. Recovery from photoinhibition was higher in algae grown in the sun than in the shade. The net photosynthetic oxygen production was higher in the shade than in the sun morphotype. A decrease in oxygen evolution was observed at about noon, recovering at dusk. The concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl a) and phycoerythrin were higher in the shade than in the sun morphotype. The Chl a and phycocyanin contents did not change significantly throughout the day. However, a clear daily variation in phycoerythrin content was observed with a strong decrease around noon. The soluble protein concentration decreased around noon, but only in the sun morphotype. The relationship between the photosynthetic quantum yield, oxygen evolution and pigment concentration is discussed, together with photoinhibition.

Inventario delle Corallinales del Mar Mediterraneo: considerazioni tassonomiche

Abstract Inventory of Corallinales of the Mediterranean Sea: taxonomic aspects. - The aim of the present work is the drawing up of a critical inventory of Corallinales of the Mediterranean Sea. This research has been based upon a census of 320 works published since 175 years, upon direct collections and sample exchanges. A census of 88 species of Corallinales (with forms and varieties), made up on the basis of about 5000 records, has been taken. 34 of the 88 species are considered “species dubiae aut rariter inventae”, it has been reported also “species inquirendae” and “species addendae”. From this census it results that there are some taxonomic problems about genera attributions (Lithophyllum, Pseudolithophyllum, Titanoderma, Neogoniolithon, Spongites, Goniolithion, Leptophytum), species attributions of articulated Corallinales (Corallina elongata, C. officinalis e Haliptilon squamatum) and non-articulated Corallinales (Fosliella ischitana, Lithophyllum (Titanoderma) trochanter, Spongites fruticulosus)....

Short-term Variation of Internal Nitrogen Compounds as a Function of Irradiance in Corallina elongata

Short-term Variation of Internal Nitrogen Compounds as a Function of Irradiance in Corallina elongata

Alkaline phosphatase activity in marine macrophytes: histochemical localization in some widespread species in southern Spain

Alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) was determined in 44 species of marine macrophytes collected throughout 1991 and 1992 along the southern coast of Spain. Activity varied between 0.83 μmol paranitrophenol (pNP) released g-1 dry wt h-1 in Ulva rigida var. gigantea and 238.8 μmol pNP g-1 dry wt h-1 in Bangia fuscopurpurea. Using a histochemical method, APA sites were located in five of these species: Corallina elongata Ellis et Soland, Gelidium latifolium (Grev.) Thur. et Born., G. sesquipedale (Clem.) Born. et Thur., Porphyra umbilicalis (L.) Kutzing and Zostera noltii Hornem. Enzymatic activity was found in the outer part of the thallus, either on the cell wall or in the cortical cells. In the marine phanerogam Z. noltii activity was also located in the vascular bundle. The results suggest that APA is present in many, if not all, marine macrophytes from southern Spain, and plays a relevant role in the utilization of dissolved organic phosphorus compounds.

Chemical bioactivity of Mediterranean benthic organisms against embryos and larvae of marine invertebrates

Thirty-two species of Mediterranean benthic organisms were assayed for antimitotic-cytotoxic bioactivity against the embryos of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. A further 19 of these species were tested for anti-fouling properties (biocide and anti-fixation) against the larvae of the bryozoa Bugula neritina. Nineteen of the 32 species were non-active against the sea urchin embryos at the initial concentration of 1000 μg · ml −1 of species crude extract. Highly significant differences ( p > 0.001) in antimitotic-cytotoxic response were found for the remaining species except Acantella acuta, Dyctionella obtusa, Alcyonum acaule and Bugula neritina. The most active species were the sponges Crambe crambe and Ircinia oros which displayed antimitotic-cytotoxic activity down to a concentration of 8 μg · ml −1, to be followed by Reniera mucosa (down to 30 μg · ml −1) and by Ircinia fasciculata and Pseudodistoma crucigaster, grey form (down to 125 μg · ml −1). A bioassay using larvae of Bugula neritina showed highly significant ( p > 0.001) biocide activity of tissue crude extracts for all the species except Corallina elongata, Agelas oroides and Microcosmus sabatieri (tunic). Acanthella acuta, Crambe crambe and Pseudodistoma crucigaster were the most active species (down to a concentration of 60 μg · ml −1). All the assayed species displayed anti-fixation activity. Sublethal toxicity is believed to be responsible for this anti-fixation behaviour at lower concentrations. This may imply that benthic organisms could avoid becoming fouled without the necessity killing larvae, by using small amounts of toxic substances.

Study of the antioedema activity of some seaweed and sponge extracts from the mediterranean coast in mice

AbstractChloroform and methanol extracts of ten marine species, seven seaweeds and three sponges, have been studied for possible, antioedema activities. The extracts were administered either topically or orally on TPA‐induced mouse ear oedema and on carrageenan mouse paw oedema, respectively. The most interesting seaweed extracts were found to be from Corallina elongata, Galaxaura oblongata, Laurencia obtusa and Udotea petiolata, where both extracts of each species induced a large antioedema effect in both models employed. None of the sponges assayed demonstrated antiinflammatory effects on carrageenan mouse paw oedema, however, some extracts elicited an inhibition of the oedema developed by TPA.

Growth rates and RNA: DNA ratios in Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) fed on benthic macrophytes

We measured growth rates and RNA: DNA ratios of young sea urchins Paracentrotus lividus cultured for 6 months in the laboratory where they were fed on 12 macrophytes ( Rissoella verruculosa, Cystoseira mediterranea, Corallina elongata, Stypocaulon scoparium, Padina pavonica, Ulva rigida, Cystoseira compressa, Colpomenia sinuosa, Posidonia oceanica, Codium vermilara, Asparagopsis armata, and Dilophus spiralis). Average increases in test diamter ranged from 0.3 mm · month dash1 for urchins fed on Dilophus spiralis to 1.9 mm · month 1 for urchins fed on Rissoella verruculosa. Average increases in wet mass ranged from 0.10 g wet mass · month 1 for urchins fed on Dilophus spiralis and Asparagopsis armata to 1.20 g wet mass · month 1 for urchins fed on Rissoella verruculosa. In terms of proteins, average growth rates ranged from 0.23 mg protein · month −1 for urchins fed on Codium vermilara to 3.08 mg protein · month −1 for urchins fed on Cystoseira mediterranea. In all three cases, growth rates were significantly ( p = 0.0001) affected by the nature of the offered macrophytes. There was a high correlation between increase in test diameter and (1) increase in wet mass and (2) increase in proteins ( r = 0.98 and 0.83, respectively). RNA: DNA ratios of Paracentrotus lividus (0.47 < r < 2.02) were within the range of what has previously been reported for larval fishes, bivalves, cephalopods, and crustaceans. Average RNA: DNA ratios were significantly affected by the food regime. However, results of a posteriori LSD tests were different for growth rates and RNA: DNA ratios. There were significantly ( p = 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.0004, respectively) positive correlations between growth rate (in terms of diameter, wet mass, and proteins) and RNA : DNA ratio. However these relationships accounted for only 23.8, 23.6, and 19.4%, respectively, of the variance of RNA : DNA ratios. These results suggest that the use of RNA : DNA ratios would be inefficient in predicting growth rates of field collected Paracentrotus lividus.

Canopy removal experiments in Cystoseira-dominated rockpools from the Western coast of the Mediterranean (Ligurian Sea)

The effects of canopy removal on algal abundance and diversity were evaluated in Cystoseira-dominated rockpools on the west coast of Italy (western Mediterranean). Four large pools ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 m above MLLW, were selected for experiments. Two canopy removals and a control were established in each pool in a randomized block design. One treatment was initiated in July 1989 (removal in summer) and the other in January 1990 (removal in winter). Algae were collected monthly by a destructive sampling method, until July 1990. Cystoseira removal induced some modifications in the algal assemblage. Articulated corallines, delicately branched and thick blades and branched algae were positively affected by canopy removal. The effect of summer and winter removal experiments was similar. In July 1990, control plots were still dominated by Cystoseira plants, while treatment areas supported a dense assemblage of turf-forming algae. At the specific level, however, strong negative interactions only occurred between Cystoseira and a few other algae, such as Corallina elongata, Padina pavonica and Rytiphloea tinctoria. These species accounted for many of the differences between treatment and control plots. As a consequence, diversity, expressed either as the Shannon-Weaver index ( H′) or as species richness ( S), was not significantly affected by canopy removal. Many of the algae that grew as epiphytes on Cystoseira or that lived in the understorey were able to persist in treatment areas in the turf matrix or as epiphytes on the new dominants. These results support the idea that communities are organized in small “components”, where strong interactions occur only between a few sets of species. Factors that could explain species coexistence in Cystoseira-dominated rockpools are also discussed.

Biological Activity of Extracts from Some Mediterranean Macrophytes

Seventy one species of marine macrophytes from the Central Mediterranean have been screened for the production of antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, cytotoxic and antimitotic compounds. Sixty five of the species displayed some kind of activity and most of them were active on more than one organism or cell tested. Antifungal activity was the most widespread (70% of the plants), whilst the incidence of antibacterial activity was extraordinarily low (6% of the plants). Of the plants tested 21% showed antiviral activity, 35% were cytotoxic and nearly 50% had antimitotic properties. The maximum level of activity was found among the Chlorophyfa; some members of the Bryopsidales (Flabellia petiolata, Caulerpa prolifera, Halimeda tuna) were the most active species. Most of the dominant species in Mediterranean phytobenthic communities (Corallina elongata, Lithophyllurn lichenoides, Phyllophora crispa, Cystoseira spp., Halopteris spp., Codium spp., Halimeda tuna, Valonia utricularis, Posidonia oceanica, Zostera noltii and Cyrnodocea nodosa) exhibited strong antifungal properties.

Carotenoids from three red algae of the Corallinaceae

The carotenoid composition of the red algae Corallina officinalis, Corallina elongata and Jania sp. were analysed. The same eight compounds were isolated and identified from the three species: β-carotene, zeaxanthin, fucoxanthin, 9′- cis-fucoxanthin, fucoxanthinol,9′- cis-fucoxanthinol and the epimeric mutatoxanthins. The latter two components are described for the first time as natural products from the marine environment. The results allowed us to infer that Corallinaceae are able to produce de novo allenic and epoxy carotenoids, contrary to the general supposition that their presence in the algae was due to colonizing organisms.

Effects of light quality and irradiance level interactions on short-term pigment response of the red alga Corallina elongate

Effects of interactions between light quality and irradiance level were tested on photosynthetic pigments of the red intertidal alga Corallina elongata EUis et Soland. During a short-tern~ accommodation process (0 to 5 h), pigments adapted chromatically to light quality. R-phycoerythrin and R-phycocyanin increases were induced under green light at 180 pm01 m-2 S-' In contrast, chlorophyll a increased only under red light at the same irradiance level. In an energy-limited situation, at an irradiance (20 pm01 m-2 S-') close to the photosynthetic compensation point of C. elongata, the accommodation process was inhibited and no chromatic response was detected. The use of antibiotics (rifamycin and chlorarnphenicol) that inhibit chloroplastic protein synthesis revealed that red light acts on phycobiliprotein synthesis in the same way as antibiotics that suppress transcription and translation. The short-term accommodation process involves ' de novo' synthesis of phycobiliproteins The rnechanism ot pigment accommodation is discussed in the frame of chromatic adaptation theory

Short-term pigment response of Corallina elongata Ellis et Solander to light intensity

The responses of the light-harvesting antenna (phycobiliproteins and chlorophyll a) of the Rhodophycean algae Corallina elongata Ellis et Solander, have been studied in relation to irradiance. Laboratory and field experiments reveal a short-term (0–5 h) accommodation mechanism. After 5 h of light treatment, pigments reach a stable state under constant laboratory conditions. Phycobiliproteins decrease when irradiance increases and chlorophyll a shows the reverse. The mechanism leading to this stable state is oscillatory. The oscillations are dampled through time. Extreme conditions (conditions which induce a decrease in the pigment pool) enhance the oscillatory behaviour. In the field, where irradiance is not constant, the oscillations are enhanced. This behaviour, already described in other related areas of research, allows a swift accommodation of the algae to rapid changes in environmental irradiances.

Morphological Variability in Amphiroa, Corallina and Jania (Rhodophyta — Corallinaceae) from Greece

The morphological variability of the geniculate coralline algae Amphiroa beauvoisii, A. rigida, Corallina elongata, C. officinalis, Jania adhaerens and J. rubens from the gulfs of Evoikos, Korinthiakos and Saronikos (Greece) was investigated. External microscopic characters as seen with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) are illustrated: in particular, the organization of intergenicular surfaces; differentiation and superficial aspects of conceptacles (when available); and quantitative characters such as epithallial concavity diameter and variation in the thickness of calcification were examined

Detection of a Phytochrome‐like Protein in Macroalgae

AbstractA phytochrome‐like protein was detected in extracts from the red algae Corallina elongata and Gelidium sp., from the brown algae Cystoseira abiesmarina and Cystoseira tamariscifolia, and from the green algae Ulva rigida, Enteromorpha compressa and Chara hispida. Relative amounts of the photoreversible protein were determined by measurement of Δ (ΔA) values of the crude extract. SDS gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting with monoclonal antibodies directed to phytochrome from etiolated maize and oat seedlings revealed only one phytochrome‐related band with apparent molecular weight of 130 kDa. The absorption difference spectrum after partial purification showed a “normal” absorption band (λmax = 670 nm) for the Pr form but only a very weak band (λmax = 705 nm) for the “Pfr form”.