Spongites Yendoi Research Articles

Chamberlainium (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) in South Africa, an exemplar for the study of coralline algae, description of C. tenue sp. nov., biogeography of the genus, and species keys

• South African Chamberlainium , an exemplar for the study of coralline algal systematics • Description of Chamberlainium tenue, a new cryptic/pseudocryptic species of coralline algae • Integrated taxonomic approach using DNA sequences from historical and field specimens • Keys to all Chamberlainium species in South Africa • Biogeographic considerations Based on plastid encoded DNA sequences from psb A and rbc L markers, a new non-geniculate coralline algal species, Chamberlainium tenue , is described from South Africa that was previously passing under the misapplied name, Spongites yendoi . DNA sequences, supported by the morpho-anatomical character of tetrasporangial conceptacle roof development, placed C. tenue in Chamberlainium , subfamily Chamberlainoideae. Instead of one species, Spongites yendoi , widely distributed across the entire coastline of South Africa, seven molecularly distinct species were present under that name and all belong in Chamberlainium . Three occur in the cooler water Benguela Marine Province, C. capense, C. glebosum , and C. occidentale, the last extending into the Benguela-Agulhas Transition Zone; three occur in the warmer water Agulhas Marine Province, C. tenue, C. cochleare and C. natalense , with the latter two extending into the Benguela-Agulhas Transition Zone; two occur only in the Benguela-Agulhas Transition Zone, C. agulhense and the historically recognized, C. impar . Both the rbc L and psb A phylograms indicate that ancestral taxa gave rise to species found in both warmer and cooler water habitats. Keys to species of South African Chamberlainium are provided for use in both the field and the laboratory. The methodology used to study these Chamberlainium species, that included: 1) DNA sequencing of type specimens to correctly apply names; 2) DNA sequencing of numerous field-collected specimens; and 3) morpho-anatomical observations on these same DNA sequenced specimens, can be an exemplar for resolving the systematics and biogeography of the many unresolved and unstudied species of South African coralline algae.

DNA sequencing reveals three new species of Chamberlainium (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from South Africa, all formerly passing under Spongites yendoi

Abstract Three new non-geniculate coralline algal species from South Africa are described that were passing under the misapplied name, Spongites yendoi. Based on plastid encoded DNA sequences from psbA and rbcL markers, these species belong in the subfamily Chamberlainoideae. The DNA sequences, supported by the morpho-anatomical character of tetrasporangial conceptacle roof development, placed all three species in the genus Chamberlainium and not Pneophyllum, the only other genus in Chamberlainoideae. In addition to the diagnostic DNA sequences, Chamberlainium capense sp. nov., C. glebosum sp. nov. and Chamberlainium occidentale sp. nov. may be distinguished by a combination of habit, habitat, geographic distribution, and several morpho-anatomical features. Biogeographically all three species are found in the Benguela Marine Province of South Africa, with C. occidentale being the most widespread. Chamberlainium glebosum also has a wide, but disjunct distribution and C. capense is another South African endemic non-geniculate coralline, whose range is restricted to a 43 km stretch of coastline. Thus far, DNA sequences from type specimens of non-geniculate corallines show that only those species whose type localities are from South Africa are correctly applied; all other non-geniculate coralline names are likely misapplied in South Africa.

Effects of Holocene sea level changes on subtidal palaeoecosystems, southeastern Brazil

Southeastern Brazilian marine coastal deposits provide an excellent opportunity to investigate environmental changes such as sea level and trophic variability during the Holocene period. In this study, we present a sediment record from Arraial do Cabo Bay, Rio de Janeiro State. In order to improve the understanding of the upper subtidal palaeoecosystem evolutionary dynamics of this Bay, we provide a microfacies analysis of Holocene carbonate and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate deposits cropping out today from the supratidal to the subtidal zones. The age-depth model is based on 14C dating and revealed a basal age of ~7000cal.yearsBP. In the six distinguished microfacies, the biogenic components are dominated by vermetids and coralline algae. A number of subordinate components are also present, including the microfacies determining thin-shelled bivalves. Fossil vermetids are represented by monospecific clusters of overgrowing Petaloconchus varians. Coralline red algae are represented by Lithophyllum pustulatum, Spongites fruticulosus, Spongites yendoi, Mesophyllum engelharti, and unidentified geniculate corallines. The microfacies analysis revealed that the substrate of the benthic community in the upper subtidal ecosystem of the Bay changed according to the relative sea level: (1) during the rapid sea transgressive trend it was coarse soft substrate, (2) after the postglacial sea level maximum succeeding a slow decline to present sea level it changed into fine soft substrate. At ~7000years ago the coarse soft substrate was characterised by fruticose corallines and composed of quartz grains from continental run off input. After the postglacial sea level maximum the highstand elevation along with the established upwelling system brought about a predominantly carbonate deposition. Vermetids and corallines, along with thin-shelled bivalves, thrived in a low sedimentation rate setting and high nutrient level environment.

Taxonomic assessment of fossil Holocene coralline red algae (Rhodophyta, Corallinales, Hapalidiales) from southwestern Atlantic

Holocene shallow-water carbonate and mixed siliciclastic-carbonate deposits from the Arraial do Cabo Bay, Brazil, southwestern Atlantic, contain well-preserved coralline red algae. These comprise four species of three genera representing the subfamilies Lithophylloideae, Mastophoroideae and Melobesioideae: Lithophyllum pustulatum, Spongites fruticulosus, Spongites yendoi, Mesophyllum engelharti. Geniculate corallines are present as algal debris. This study represents the first fossil record of these species in southwestern Atlantic Ocean. They inhabited the studied area since at least 13.000 years and are still thriving in the present-day assemblages. Only L. pustulatum and S. fruticulosus have old fossil records traced back into the Oligocene from the Mediterranean region. From ca. 3.000 years ago these species thrive in intertidal settings along the southwestern Atlantic Ocean coasts, which have been characterized by a regressive sea-level trend.

Taxonomic study of crustose coralline algae off the northeastern Brazilian coast

This work presents a detailed morphoanatomical study of crustose coralline algae species from the northeastern Brazilian coast, in the north of Bahia state. Nine species have been recognized: Sporolithon episporum, Lithophyllum stictaeforme, Spongites yendoi, Spongites sp., Mesophyllum erubescens, Phymatolithon masonianum, Phymatolithon calcareum, Lithothamnion crispatum and Lithothamnion brasiliense. Phymatolithon masonianum and Phymatolithon calcareum constitute the first record of these species for the northern coast of Brazil. An identification key, as well as descriptions, illustrations, comparisons with related taxa, and geographical distributions for Brazil as well as global geographic distributions are presented. Additionally, some ecological implications are discussed focusing the need of more studies about this neglected group of coralline red algae.

Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) on the coast of Bahia, Brazil

(Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) on the coast of Bahia, Brazil). We report the first occurrence of S. yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain on the northeastern coast of Brazil, and the second record of the species on the Brazilian coast. We collected specimens on two beaches in the cities of Salvador and Camacari, Bahia, Brazil. The species were identified by the presence of monomerous thallus construction, trichocytes arranged in horizontal fields, central columella, and tetrasporangial conceptacle morphometry. Our record extends the distribution range of this species into Brazilian waters.

The Role of Encrusting Coralline Algae in the Diets of Selected Intertidal Herbivores

Kalk Bay, South Africa, has a typical south coast zonation pattern with a band of seaweed dominating the mid-eulittoral and between two molluscan-herbivore dominated upper and lower eulittoral zones. Encrusting coralline algae were very obvious features of these zones. The most abundant herbivores in the upper eulittoral were the limpet, Cymbula oculus (10.4±1.6 individuals m−2; 201.65±32.68 g.m−2) and the false limpet, Siphonaria capensis (97.07±19.92 individuals m−2; 77.93 16.02 g.m−2). The territorial gardening limpet, Scutellastra. cochlear, dominated the lower eulittoral zone, achieving very high densities (545.27±84.35 m−2) and biomass (4630.17±556.13 g.m−2), and excluded all other herbivores and most seaweeds, except for its garden alga and the encrusting coralline alga, Spongites yendoi (35.93±2.26% cover). In the upper eulittoral zone, encrusting coralline algae were only present in the guts of the chiton Acanthochiton garnoti (30.5±1.33%) and the limpet C. oculus (2.9±0.34%). The lower eulittoral zone limpet, Scutellastra cochlear also had a large percentage of encrusting coralline algae in its gut with limpets lacking gardens having higher (45.1±1.68%) proportions of coralline algae in their guts than those with gardens (25.6±0.8%). Encrusting coralline algae had high organic contents, similar to those of other encrusting and turf-forming algae, but higher organic contents than foliose algae. Radula structure, grazing frequencies as a percentage of the area grazed (upper eulittoral 73.25±3.60% d−1; lower eulittoral 46.0±3.29% d−1), and algal organic content provided evidence to support the dietary habits of the above herbivores. The data show that many intertidal molluscs are actively consuming encrusting coralline algae and that these seaweeds should be seen as an important food source.

Predation by polychaete worms on larval and post-settlement abalone Haliotis iris (Mollusca:Gastropoda)

Predation on post-settlement abalone ( Haliotis iris) by polychaete worms inhabiting the crusts of non-geniculate coralline algae was examined experimentally. In the subtidal habitat of H. iris, the warty Mesophyllum printzianum supported dense assemblages (> 0.5 cm −1) of the cirratulid Dodecaceria berkeleyi and the spionid Boccardia chilensis, but few polychaetes were found in the encrusting Spongites yendoi. Survival rates for inocula of hatchery-reared larvae of H. iris ( n = 10) on experimental substrata ( M. printzianum) were 29.0 + 9.2% with D. berkeleyi, and 52.4 + 10% with B. chilensis after a 24 h trial. There was no significant density effect (1–4 individuals per 10 cm 2 vs. 6–10 individuals per 10 cm 2) for either species of polychaete. The results indicate that refugia from water currents and piscivorous predators offered by coralline surfaces are offset by the biological hazards associated with resident infaunal predators. This interaction will determine levels of recruitment of abalone and other benthic invertebrates to coralline surfaces.

Post-settlement survival of abalone (Haliotis iris, H. australis) in turbulent flows

An experimental flow tank which reproduces an oscillating flow typical of shallow coastal waters (ca. 2 m.sec-1 ) was used to experimentally examine the influence of water flow on the post-settlement survival of abalone (Haliotis iris and H. australis). Experimental inocula of hatchery-reared larvae settled on substrata of contrasting crustose coralline morphology (encrusting vs warty ) were monitored during 24 h exposure trials to calm and turbulent flow regimes. Results indicated greater survival of H. iris on encrusting coralline surfaces (Spongites yendoi) than on warty surfaces (Mesophyllum printzianum): a result attributable to differential predation by infaunal polychaete worms. Survival of H. australis on both surfaces was much lower than for H. iris suggesting interspecific differences in the interaction between surface morphology and turbulence. The results suggest that both H. iris and H.· australis are well adapted to torrential flows in nearshore habitats, but there is an interaction between the physical and biological aspects of the habitat to which these abalone recruit.

Competitive relationships and coexistence in a guild of crustose algae in the eulittoral zone, Cape Province, South Africa

A number of crustose, fleshy and coralline algae coexist in the eulittoral zone along the south-western coast of South Africa, in spite of potentially competing for the same limiting resource, space. A number of questions concerning coexistence among crustose algae were addressed in a study conducted at Holbaaipunt, in the southwestern Cape Province. To some degree, the crustose algae occur in different zones, and this may thus reduce competition. It was shown that non-transitive networks did not exist among the crustose algae at this site, so do not contribute to the coexistence of these crustose algae. While most species occur on rock substratum, one species occurs primarily on worm tubes and compacted calcareous material, suggesting that habitat heterogeneity within zones may contribute to the coexistence of these crustose species. Differential susceptibility to, and recovery from, disturbance may also contribute to coexistence. The thinnest species in the mid-lower eulittoral zone at this site, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain, dominates the space in spite of its position near the bottom of the overgrowth hierarchy. This may be because its thin thallus shows faster lateral growth and less susceptibility to disturbance than its thicker competitors. Thallus thinness may be maintained by the periodic deeplayer sloughing of a surface layer, as well as by heavy grazing by Patella cochlear Born. 'n Aantal kors-vleesagtigeen koralloïde alge kom saam in die eulittorale sone langs die suidwestelike kus van Suid Afrika voor ten spyte dat hulle vir dieselfde beperkbare hulpbron, ruimte, kompeteer. 'n Aantal vrae oor saambestaan tussen korsagtige alge is aangespreek in 'n studie by Holbaaipunt in die suidwestelike Kaap Provinsie. Tot 'n sekere mate kom die korsagtige alge in verskillende sones voor en dit mag kompetisie dus verminder. Nietransitiewe netwerke kom nie voor tussen die korsagtige alge by hierdie vindplek nie, dus dra dit nie by tot die saambestaan van hierdie korsagtige alge nie. Terwyl die meeste spesies op rotse voorkom, kom een spesie hoofsaaklik op wurmbuise en kompakte kalkagtige materiaal voor. Dit stel voor dat habitat heterogeniteit binne in sones mag bydra tot die saambestaan van hierdie korsagtige spesies. Gedifferensieerde vatbaarheid tot, en herstelling na, versteurings mag ook tot saambestaan bydra. Die dunste spesies in die middel onderste eulittorale sone by hierdie vindplek, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain, domineer die ruimte ten spyte van sy posisie naaan die bodem van die oorgroeisel-hiërargie. Dit mag miskien so wees omdat sy dun tallus vinniger laterale groei toon asook minder vatbaarheid tot versteurings in vergelyking met sy dikker kompeteerders. Tallusdunheid mag behou word deur die periodiese dieplaagskending van 'n oppervlaklaag asook die swaar weiding van Patella cochlear Born.

Ecological significance of deep-layer sloughing in the eulittoral zone coralline alga, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) in South Africa

The crustose coralline alga Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain (Corallinaceae, Rhodophyta) dominates the lower eulittoral zone along the South Coast of South Africa, together with the limpet Patella cochlear Born. This coralline alga was previously shown to undergo a deep-layer sloughing twice a year, as well as continuous epithallial sloughing. The hypothesis that deep-layer sloughing could perform an antifouling function was tested by determining the percentage cover of fleshy algae developing in a limpet exclusion experiment on live and killed coralline. Substantial fleshy algal cover developed in both limpet removal treatments, negating any possible antifouling function of deep-layer sloughing. A measurable decrease in the mean thickness of the coralline population was noted during periods of sloughing. A thicker crustose coralline, Leptophytum ferox (Foslie) Chamberlain & Keats, grew more slowly and was much more heavily burrowed and more weakly attached than S. yendoi. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that deep-layer sloughing contributes to the alga's relatively thin thallus, thereby conferring the advantages of faster growth and stronger attachment. However, further studies are still needed to evaluate these hypotheses further.

Cell sloughing in the littoral zone coralline alga, Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain (Corallinales, Rhodophyta)

Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Chamberlain is an abundant non-geniculate coralline alga in the lower eulittoral zone along the south and west coast of South Africa, where it is associated primarily with...

Observations on the crustose coralline red alga Spongites yendoi (Foslie) comb. nov. in South Africa and its relationship to S. decipiens (Foslie) comb. nov. and Lithophyllum natalense Foslie

Abstract South African plants of the crustose coralline red alga Spongites yendoi (Foslie) Y. Chamberlain comb. nov. are described. This species is abundant intertidally on rocky shores, especially in Cape Province, and is particularly associated with communities of the pear limpet (Patella cochlear Born) in the lower eulittoral zone. South African plants are compared with the type specimens of Lithothamnion decipiens Foslie, Goniolithon yendoi Foslie and Lithophyllum natalense Foslie. All three species have relatively thin thalli, mainly composed of filaments of small, squarish cells, with a lowermost layer 1–8 filaments thick which has more or less elongate cells; cell fusions are frequent. Old tetrasporangial conceptacles do not become buried in the thallus; the conceptacles are uniporate, elliptical in vertical section, with roofs up to 6 cells thick and a pore canal lined with papillate cells. All three entities pertain to the mastophoroid genus Spongites Kutzing, but Lithothamnion decipiens has a di...