Benthic Marine Algae Research Articles

An analysis of “Hydrophytologiae Regni Neapolitani” (Delle Chiaje, 1829)

In the volume “Hydrophytologiae Regni Neapolitani”, published by Delle Chiaje in 1829, 100 species of benthic marine algae of the Gulf of Neaples (Mediterranean Sea, Italy) are described and illustrated with colored images. In this study the marine algae depicted in the 100 plates are analyzed with the goal of identifying them in terms of present-day taxonomy and nomenclature. Of each plate, observations and comments dealing also with taxonomic opinions published by earlier authors on Delle Chiaje’s plates, are also given.

Marine Floral Biodiversity, Threats, and Conservation in Vietnam: An Updated Review.

Part of the Indo-Chinese peninsula and located on the northwest edge of the Coral Triangle in the South China Sea, the Vietnamese coastal zone is home to a wealthy marine biodiversity associated with the regional geological setting and history, which supports a large number of marine ecosystems along a subtropical to tropical gradient. The diversity of coastal benthic marine primary producers is also a key biological factor supporting marine biological diversity. The present review provides: (1) an updated checklist of the Vietnamese marine flora, (2) a review of molecular-assisted alpha taxonomic efforts, (3) an analysis of marine floral biodiversity spatial distribution nationally and regionally (South China Sea), (4) a review of the impact of anthropogenic and environmental stressors on the Vietnamese marine flora, and (5) the efforts developed in the last decade for its conservation. Based on the studies conducted since 2013 and the nomenclatural changes that occurred during this period, an updated checklist of benthic marine algae and seagrasses consisted in a new total of 878 species, including 439 Rhodophyta, 156 Ochrophyta, 196 Chlorophyta, 87 Cyanobacteria, and 15 phanerogam seagrasses. This update contains 54 new records and 5 new species of macroalgae. The fairly poor number of new records and new species identified in the last 10 years in a "mega-diverse" country can be largely attributed to the limited efforts in exploring algal biodiversity and the limited use of genetic tools, with only 25.4% (15 species) of these new records and species made based on molecular-assisted alpha taxonomy. The South Central Coast supports the highest species diversity of marine algae, which coincides with the largest density of coral reefs along the Vietnamese coast. Vietnam holds in the South China Sea one of the richest marine floras, imputable to the country's geographical, geological, and climatic settings. However, Vietnam marine floral biodiversity is under critical threats examined here, and current efforts are insufficient for its conservation. A methodical molecular-assisted re-examination of Vietnam marine floral biodiversity is urgently needed, complemented with in-depth investigations of the main threats targeting marine flora and vulnerable taxa, and finally, conservation measures should be urgently implemented.

Morphological changes and biochemical reaction of Ulva rigida in response to the toxic effect of bisphenol A under experimental conditions

The large-scale worldwide production and consumption of bisphenol A (BPA) has resulted in the ubiquitous presence of this chemical in aquatic ecosystems. Primary producers such as marine macroalgae can be successfully used for monitoring in order to determine the environmental risk from organic pollutants. The article is based on new experimental data obtained by the authors in the study of the sensitivity of the green marine benthic algae Ulva rigida to the impact of various concentrations of BPA was conducted. Exposure to BPA led to structural and functional changes in the Ulva samples: growth rate, cell size, and photosynthetic pigment content. In concentrations from 40 to 100 mg/L, a destructive effect from BPA on the Ulva was observable within 24–48 h, taking the form of complete chloroplast discoloration occurring in 100% of its cells. A dose-dependent stimulating effect of low concentrations of BPA on the growth of Ulva was also noted. As compared with the control, the disc area of Ulva in a medium with a BPA concentration of 0.1 mg/L almost doubled within 30 days, while at 5 mg/L, it increased by only 21%. Changes in chlorophyll a and b content were observed in the first hours of BPA exposure. The pigment content in the Ulva decreased under the influence of BPA both at an impact concentration of 100 mg/L and a low concentration of 0.01 mg/L. The sensitivity to bisphenol А contamination of the U. rigida in different regions may vary.

Marine Benthic Algae of the Eastern Samar Islands of Homonhon, Sulu-an, and Manicani, Philippines

Botanical explorations in the Philippines have been conducted for the most part in easily accessible regions, resulting in fragmentary information that prevents a thorough assessment of its total biological richness. Many insular sites, which are potentially biologically diverse, remain unexplored due to reasons of geographic isolation, weather disturbance, and logistical considerations. To address these gaps and to provide added information on the diversity and distribution of the seaweed flora around the archipelago, we report herein the taxonomy of the marine benthic algae of three islands in Eastern Samar province. Macrobenthic algae were collected in 18 sites in Homonhon, Sulu-an, and Manicani islands in Guiuan. Seaweeds were identified in situ up to the lowest taxonomic level possible and further analyzed in the laboratory. Cluster analysis based on the Jaccard index using the PAST software was used to infer similarities among the sampling sites with respect to the seaweed flora of the newly collected samples. Analysis of similarities and similarity percentage were also used to further support the results of the study. The paper highlights 56 seaweeds (Chlorophyceae: 28 spp.; Phaeophyceae: 11 spp.; Rhodophyceae: 17 spp.) collected in 18 collection sites in Homonhon, Manicani, and Sulu-an Islands in Guiuan, Eastern Samar. All are considered new records to the small islands, whereas 39 are considered new records of species in the Eastern Samar province. Cluster analysis suggests similarities in seaweed flora in the islands, which may be attributed to the substrates and hydrodynamism in the islands. The islands have a relatively diverse seaweed flora, despite its narrow areas highlighting 5% of the total seaweed flora of the country. This paper is the first attempt to provide better documentation of macroalgal communities in remote islands in the Eastern Philippines (Guiuan, Eastern Samar).

DNA-assisted inventory and community structure of benthic marine algae in Taiping Island (or Itu Aba Island), South China Sea

Taiping Island (also known as Itu Aba Island) is located in the middle of one of the most politically controversial land strips in the South China Sea, thereby imposing a great obstacle for the exploration of marine biodiversity in this area. The goals of this study were to improve our knowledge gap of biodiversity of benthic marine algae (including both seaweeds and cyanobacteria) and to provide basic herbarium and molecular references on their communities. With 199 molecular sequences assisted for species identification, we found 19 orders, 40 families, 68 genera and 121 species in Taiping Island, including those belonging to 34 Chlorophyta species, 9 Ochrophyta species, 62 Rhodophyta species, and 16 cyanobacteria species. Among them, six genera, 14 species were new records for the South China Sea and more than 70% species were considered as new records for Taiping Island. There were also many taxa which may be considered as undescribed species new to science. In this fringing reef island, the species compositions were significantly different between two types of habitats separated by a reef crest. In the Reef Flat Zone, the most common species encountered included members of Caulerpa, Dictyota, Galaxaura and Halimeda. In the Reef Slope Zone, the most common species included members of Corallinales and Peyssonneliales. The nuisance coral-competing seaweeds (Galaxaura divaricata and Ramicrusta texitilis) and the cyanobacterium (Moorea bouillonii) were reported for the first time in Taiping Island. Our expanded DNA barcoding data in Taiping Island provides a greater understanding of the benthic marine algal biodiversity in the South China Sea.

Effect of the properties of long afterglow phosphors on the antifouling performance of silicone fouling-release coating

To improve the static antifouling performance of the fouling-release silicone antifouling coating, blue-green (BG), yellow-green (YG), and sky blue (SB) long afterglow phosphors (LAP) with two kinds of luminescence intensities are added into the silicone coating, respectively, and the LAP/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite antifouling coating with different colors and luminance was prepared. Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), laser particle size analyzer, and fluorescence spectrometer, the crystal structure, particle size, fluorescence properties, and emission wavelength of LAP were studied. Through laser confocal scanning microscope (CLSM), tensile test, contact angle measurement, photometer, marine bacteria, and boat-shaped benthic diatom attachment test, the surface morphology and roughness, tensile properties, wettability, and surface of the coating were studied energy, fluorescence illuminance, and anti-fouling performance. The results showed that the addition of LAP increased the fracture strength, elastic modulus, and surface free energy of the coatings. Each kind of LAP can improve the performance of PDMS coatings to inhibit the adhesion of marine bacterial biofilm and benthic marine algae. The higher the luminous illuminance, the better the antifouling performance of the coating. The SB coating has the most excellent antifouling performance and in particular, the relative adhesion rate (RAR) of fouling organisms of the SB highlight LAP/PDMS composite antifouling coating is only 37.8 %. This research provides new ideas for the development of new fluorescent antifouling coatings and has a certain enlightening significance for improving the static antifouling performance of fouling-release antifouling coatings (FRC).

First report of any species of the red algal order Nemaliales from mainland Ecuador: Neoizziella asiatica (Liagoraceae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract The benthic marine algae of the mainland coast of Ecuador are poorly known mainly due to a lack of collections. Currently, DNA barcoding is the preferred method to identify species of benthic marine algae worldwide, as morpho-anatomical characters are inadequate to distinguish many species of macroalgae. We used the red algal barcode rbcL-3P to identify specimens collected in January 2020 from Manabí, Ecuador as Neoizziella asiatica. This is the first member of the red algal order Nemaliales to be reported from the mainland coast of Ecuador and extends the distribution of this alga by 1,100 km to the south from Panama.

Diversity of marine benthic algae from Cantabria (Eastern Cantabrian, Spain): a historical overview of research and publications

The macroalgal flora of Cantabria (north of Spain) has attracted the interest of many researchers on past occasions. Currently published information only reflects occasional collections from sporadic field visits to this region of the Spanish Atlantic coast. To overcome this, a historical overview of research and publications, encompassing collections and presence data recording, has been undertaken. This work lists the resultant taxonomic records and provides information about macroalgal flora of Cantabria. A total of 425 species (25 Cyanobacteria, 55 Chlorophyta, 81 Ochrophyta, and 264 Rhodophyta) were identified. The number of specific, infraspecific taxa, and stages is 437: 25 Cyanobacteria, 57 Chlorophyta, 89 Ochrophyta, and 266 Rhodophyta. The floristic character of flora from the Cantabrian coast is compared over time and with nearby regions applying Cheney’s ratio [(Rhodophyta+Chlorophyta)/ Ochrophyta, or (R+C)/O]. The present paper aims to provide an overview of the research that has been conducted in the Cantabrian coast, not only found in international publications but also in local publications as well as unpublished theses.

ПАМЯТИ ВЕРЫ БОРИСОВНЫ ВОЗЖИНСКОЙ

On July 29, 2021, just 90 years have passed since the day of birth of Vera Borisovna Vozzhinskaya, doctor of biological sciences, head of the Laboratory of biological foundation of mariculture IO RAS. She was connected with our Institute during all her life, 43 years – from young post-graduate up to well-known algologist, specialist in benthic marine algae. She was a bright personality, outstanding organizer, skilled expedition worker. Under her leadership 37 coastal expeditions of IO were carried out – to the White, Barents, Black and Far East Seas. She tragically perished in happy and long-awaited moment: just after the authorization of her degree (doctor of biology) by All-Russian Attestation Commission. Publications by V.B. Vozzhinskaya are in demand up to now, especially her unique monograph on the White Sea macrophytobenthos and investigations on productivity of bottom seaweeds.

New marine algal records from Arabian Gulf coastline of Kuwait

During 2014-2016 a project was launched to update and examine the current status of five phyla of benthic marine algae, in addition to epiphytic diatoms and marine Tracheophyta thriving along the coastal area of Kuwait. 173 species of algae were collected and identified. Fourteen new records of algal species for Kuwait including 2 species as new records from the Arabian Gulf are here reported for the first time. These species are assigned to the Chlorophyta (4), Ochrophyta (1), Rhodophyta (5) and Cyanobacteria (4). From Kuwait coastal line one species of marine angiosperm is also found for the first time. Five algal species collected from Kuwait coastal line remain unidentified.

Marine algal flora of São Miguel Island, Azores.

BackgroundThe macroalgal flora of the Island of São Miguel (eastern group of the Azores Archipelago) has attracted the interest of many researchers in the past, the first publications going back to the nineteenth century. Initial studies were mainly taxonomic, resulting in the publication of a checklist of the Azorean benthic marine algae. Later, the establishment of the University of the Azores on the Island permitted the logistic conditions to develop both temporal studies and long-term research and this resulted in a significant increase on research directed at the benthic marine algae and littoral communities of the Island and consequent publications.Prior to the present paper, the known macroalgal flora of São Miguel Island comprised around 260 species. Despite this richness, a significant amount of the research was never made public, notably Masters and PhD theses encompassing information regarding presence data recorded at littoral and sublittoral levels down to a depth of approximately 40 m around the Island and the many collections made, which resulted in vouchers deposited in the AZB Herbarium Ruy Telles Palhinha and the LSM- Molecular Systematics Laboratory at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of the Azores.The present publication lists the macroalgal taxonomic records, together with information on their ecology and occurrence around São Miguel Island, improving the knowledge of the Azorean macroalgal flora at local and regional scales.New informationA total of 12,781 specimens (including some identified only to genus) belonging to 431 taxa of macroalgae are registered, comprising 284 Rhodophyta, 59 Chlorophyta and 88 Ochrophyta (Phaeophyceae). Of these, 323 were identified to species level (212 Rhodophyta, 48 Chlorophyta and 63 Ochrophyta), of which 61 are new records for the Island (42 Rhodophyta, 9 Chlorophyta and 10 Ochrophyta), one an Azorean endemic (Predaea feldmannii subsp. azorica Gabriel), five are Macaronesian endemisms (the red algae Botryocladia macaronesica Afonso-Carrillo, Sobrino, Tittley & Neto, Laurencia viridis Gil-Rodríguez & Haroun, Millerella tinerfensis (Seoane-Camba) S.M.Boo & J.M.Rico, Phyllophora gelidioides P.Crouan & H.Crouan ex Karsakoff and the green alga Codium elisabethiae O.C.Schmidt), 19 are introduced species (15 Rhodophyta, two Chlorophyta and two Ochrophyta) and 32 are of uncertain status (21 Rhodophyta, five Chlorophyta and six Ochrophyta).

A review on the seaweed resources of Myanmar

A total of 261species of marine benthic algae under 121genera,comprising 72 taxa belonging to 26 genera of Chlorophyta, 45 taxa belonging to 18 genera of Phaeophyta and 144 taxa belonging to 77 genera of Rhodophyta growing along the Tanintharyi Coastal Zone, Deltaic Coastal Zone and Rakhine Coastal Zone, were recorded. In general, diversity ratios of seaweeds occur in 3 Coastal Zones is 3:1:4 between the Tanintharyi Coastal Zone (146 taxa), Deltaic Coastal Zone (53 taxa) and Rakhine Coastal Zone (224 taxa).Among these, 89 species of marine benthic algae, including 25 taxa of green, 9 taxa of brown and 55 taxa of red algae, were newly recorded from Myanmar waters. The latitudinal distribution of marine benthic algae along the Myanmar Coastal Zones reveals 25 species of marine benthic algae which uniquely occur in low lattitute in the Tanintharyi Coastal Zone and 111 species which exclusively predominate in high lattitutein the Rakhine Coastal Zone. Monostroma, Ulva, Caulerpa and Codium of Chlorophyta, Dictyota, Spatoglossum, Hormophysa, Turbinaria and Sargassum of Phaeophyta and Phycocalidia, Dermonema, Gelidiella, Halymenia, Solieria, Hypnea, Gracilaria,Gracilariopsis, Hydopuntia, Catenella and Acanthophora of Rhodophyta could be considered as of dependable natural resources of Myanmar to produce the sea-vegetables and phycocolloids. Mariculture of some economically important marine red algae such as Gracilaria spp., Hydopuntia spp., Catenella spp. And Kappaphycus alvarezii was described. Current status and prospects of phycocolloid industries producing alginate, agar-agar and carrageenansfrom raw materials of seaweeds of Myanmar were discussed. Checklist, distribution and conservation of marine benthic algae were briefly presented.

Diversity and distribution of marine benthic algae and seagrasses in the tropical Kimberley, Western Australia

– The algal and seagrass diversity at 177 marine survey stations in the Kimberley region, Western Australia (<30 m depth) was assessed, to establish species inventories and describe community structures.

Actualización taxonómica de las algas rojas (Rhodophyta) marinas bentónicas del Atlántico mexicano

Antecedentes y Objetivos: Desde las contribuciones de Dreckmann en 1998 y Ortega et al. en 2001, no se han realizado otros trabajos compilatorios para el Atlántico mexicano en los que se consideren modificaciones y actualizaciones taxonómicas para la flora ficológica de la zona. El objetivo de este trabajo fue presentar un listado actualizado de las algas rojas de la costa mexicana del Golfo de México y el Caribe mexicano, en el que se consideran los nuevos registros para la región a partir de los trabajos mencionados hasta la fecha. Métodos: La información de las especies se obtuvo revisando la mayor cantidad de literatura publicada para el área de estudio, desde 2001 a la fecha y algunos registros previos no considerados antes, así como las bases de datos del Herbario Metropolitano UAMIZ. La sinonimia y el estatus nomenclatural de cada nombre, así como el sistema de clasificación utilizado, fueron revisados en AlgaeBase. Resultados clave: Se obtuvo un listado florístico con 451 especies y 13 categorias infraespecificas de algas rojas distribuidas en 4 clases, 23 órdenes, 52 familias y 171 géneros. Para cada especie se menciona su estado nomenclatural actualmente aceptado, su sinonimia y su distribución. Además, se resaltan con un asterisco aquellos registros antiguos (previos al 2002), así como su distribución por ambiente. Conclusiones: El presente listado reveló dos grandes cambios a la previamente conocida flora de las algas rojas de la zona de estudio. El primero de ellos se encuentra en el terreno de la nomenclatura, e implica una modificación a la clasificación de los taxones (familias, géneros, especies). El segundo repercute en el número de especies presentes. Dado lo anterior, es evidente la necesidad de un monitoreo florístico constante a lo largo del litoral del Atlántico mexicano.

Some rarely reported deep-water macroalgal species from Bonaire, Caribbean Sea, including Verdigellas discoidea sp. nov. (Palmophyllaceae, Chlorophyta) based on submersible collections

Abstract Two rarely reported and one newly described species of benthic marine algae are herein recognized from deep-water habitats at Bonaire, representing the first Caribbean reports of each. Archestenogramma profundum is previously known only from its type collection in Bermuda at 17 m depth and the rarely reported Halymenia integra is known originally from its type locality at Cabo Frio, Brazil. Verdigellas discoidea is newly described on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. It forms flat circular thalli to 6.5 cm in diameter, measuring to 390 μm thick. The disc-like algae are attached by several small holdfasts on the ventral surface, but the margins are mostly free from their substrata.

Effects of bromide-enriched natural seawater culture medium on protein and monoterpenes output of Ochtodes secundiramea (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales)

Benthic marine algae, especially Rhodophyta, are within a well-known marine group able to produce secondary metabolites with bioactive properties. Among them are halogenated terpenes, synthesized by vanadium-dependent haloperoxidase (V-BPO). The red alga Ochtodes secundiramea (Montagne) M. Howe produces high amounts of halogenated monoterpenes (HMT) which have the potential to control phytopathogenic fungi. Culture closed a system is a tool used to manipulate conditions to increase the synthesis of HMT and other metabolites. The apical segments of O. secundiramea were cultivated in a bioreactor, either in seawater enriched with half strength von Stosch’s solution (VSES/2) without (control) and with the addition of 250 mg L−1 bromine (treatment). In response to these conditions, specific growth rate, HMT profile, soluble protein, phycobiliproteins, soluble carbohydrate, and chlorophyll as well as the V-BPO activity, uptake, and accumulated bromine within the biomass were evaluated. The treatment did not promote significant alterations in the growth but increased the V-BPO activity and bromine uptake and incorporation (2.5 fold). No changes in the HMT profiles of the extracts from both cultures conditions were observed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses, whereas the values of total soluble protein and phycobiliproteins were 2-fold higher in samples from the bromine-enriched medium when compared to samples from control. These results support the evidences of protective effects promoted by V-BPO activity. Furthermore, carbohydrate and chlorophyll contents were not affected by experimental conditions. These results provided new low-cost strategies that can be applied to increase of certain biomass components, which here are algal proteins, especially in Rhodophyta-based biotechnological industries for food and agriculture.

Notes on the benthic marine algae of Puerto Rico. XII: additions to the flora

Abstract Five species of benthic marine algae (Phaeophyceae: Lobophora littlerorum; Rhodophyta: Meristotheca cylindrica, Naccaria corymbosa, Xiphosiphonia pinnulata and Dipterosiphonia reversa) represent new distribution records from the coastal waters surrounding Puerto Rico in the northern Caribbean Sea. The latter two species are now reported for the first time from the western Atlantic Caribbean.

New records of subtidal benthic marine algae from the state of Veracruz, southern Gulf of Mexico

New records of subtidal benthic marine algae from the State of Veracruz, the southern Gulf of Mexico, are presented, which include 7 species and 2 forms. The material was collected from 6 sampling forays at 4 locations between October 2013 and September 2017. The collection sites included the “Ana Elena” and “Riva Palacio” shipwrecks and some poorly explored reefs in the State of Veracruz, Mexico. The morphological characteristics of Hypoglossum simulans, Halymenia hancockii, Dictyota humifusa, Caulerpa sertularioides f. longiseta, Avrainvillea levis f. translucens, Udotea caribaea, U. dixonii, U. unistratea, and Anadyomene saldanhae are described. Information about the habitats and geographic distributions of these taxa is provided.

Macroalgas submareales de los canales interiores del Parque Nacional Bernardo O&amp;#8217;Higgins (~49°- 51° S), región de Magallanes, Chile

The Bernardo O’Higgins National Park (BONP) covers a total area of 3,525,901 hectares, where a great diversity of terrestrial and marine habitats converges. Its coastal area is characterized by a complex system of Patagonian Channels and Fjords. This marine ecosystem does not have an ecological simile with other along the Souther Pacific coast, with a high biodiversity in its marine biota, specifically in its marine benthic algae. There are few or almost no scientific contributions regarding which species of macroalgae inhabit this conservation area between ~ 49° - 55° of South latitude. Therefore, the aim of this work was to be a first qualitative approximation of macroalgae flora in these coastal systems of BONP. In order to corried out the objetive of this work, qualitative subtidal samplings in mover delante de qualitative stations on the coast of the BONP, through SCUBA diving during the summer of 2010. A total of 64 taxa were of subtidal benthic macroalgae belong to 31 families. The most diverse taxa was the Delesseriaceae (8 species), followed by Ceramiaceae (7 species) and Ulvaceae (7 species). In addition, we observed that Macrocystis pyrifera is the dominant subtidal macroalgae species in the whole study area. This work contributed to the phycological knowledge of the Subantarctic ecoregion. However, it is necessary to continue developing research effort in the area, which without a doubt would provide more records to those already achieved.

Marine red algae from central-southern coast of Cuba

The aim of this study was to carry out a taxonomic survey of red marine benthic algae that occur in the littoral zone of central-southern Cuba. The samplings were performed in the period 2010–2012at 12 stations predominantly in reef environments. A total of 81 taxa were recorded and distributed in 9 orders and 24 families. Ceramiales was the most represented order with 38 taxa, followed by Corallinales with nine taxa. Hypoglossum caloglossoides represents a new record for Cuban benthic marine algae. Forty-nine species of macroalgae are new additions to the flora of reef environments from the central-southern region of Cuba. Sixty species of the region are provided in Figures (2–61). Dichotomaria obtusata was the most common species found. Some species such as Ceramium fujianum, Gloiocladia iyoensis, Griffithsia schousboei var. anastomosans and Dasya ocellata have been found in Cuba only in the central-southern region. Calcified crustose and articulated coralline algae were found to be common in the coral reef locations, while filamentous turfs and fleshy or frondose macroalgae were commonly found in the stations of shallow or intertidal waters. The floristic composition of red marine benthic algae indicates the central-southern coast of Cuban archipelago as a site of elevated species richness and that its coral reef environments are in a status of good health due to prevalence of calcareous coralline macroalgae.