The current separation of the calcified genera Actinotrichia Decaisne, Galaxaura Lamouroux, and Tricleocarpa Huisman et Borowitzka in the Galaxauraceae is largely based on type of life history (whether the gametophytes and tetrasporophytes are isomorphic or heteromorphic with respect to gross morphology or cortical-cell features) and on features of postfertilization development (such as the composition of the pericarp). We reexamined the phylogenetic relationships of these genera based on comparative rbcL sequence analysis, types of life cycle, and cystocarp development. Four distinct assemblages have been identified: an Actinotrichia clade, a Tricleocarpa clade, a Galaxaura clade (containing the type species), and a Dichotomaria clade made of a number of formerly Galaxaura species (D. obtusata [Ellis et Solander] Lamarck, D. marginata [Ellis et Solander] Lamarck, and D. diesingiana [Zanardini] Huisman, Harper and Saunders). Key differences between Dichotomaria and Galaxaura include the habit of the gametophytic and tetrasporophytic generations (isomorphic in Dichotomaria and dimorphic in Galaxaura) as well as the presence or absence of a persistent pericarp in the cystocarp (present in Dichotomaria and absent in Galaxaura). Molecular data do not support monophyly for the putatively pantropical species Galaxaura rugosa, Dichotomaria obtusata, and D. marginata, all of which we conclude are in need of taxonomic revision.

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Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a single genotype of an organism to exhibit variable phenotypes in response to fluctuating environments. It plays a crucial role in their evolutionary success. In natural environments, the importance of interactions between microalgae and other microorganisms is generally well appreciated, but the effects of these interactions on algal phenotypic plasticity has not been investigated. In this study, it revealed that indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), the most common naturally occurring plant hormone, can exert stimulatory at low concentrations and inhibitory effects at high concentrations on the growth of the green alga Desmodesmus. The morphological characteristics of Desmodesmus changed drastically under exposure to IAA compared with the algae in the control environment. The proportion of Desmodesmus unicells in monocultures increased with the IAA concentration, and these unicells exhibited less possibility of sedimentation than large cells. Furthermore, we discovered that lipid droplets accumulated in algal cells grown at a high IAA concentration. Results also demonstrated that the presence of algal competitor further stimulated inducible morphological changes in Desmodesmus populations. The relative abundance of competitors influenced the proportion of induced morphological changes. The results indicate that phenotypic plasticity in microalgae can be a response to fluctuating environments, in which algae optimize the cost–benefit ratio.

A new polybrominated indole, 4,5,6-tribromo-2-methylsulfinylindole (1), and eleven known metabolites 2–12 were isolated from the acetone extract of the red alga Laurencia brongniartii. Structure of the new compound 1 was elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of these sulfur-containing polybromoindoles were evaluated.

Chemical investigation of the red alga Laurencia tristicha led to the discovery of eight new halogenated chamigrane-type sesquiterpenoids (1-8) and one new bromocuparane-type sesquiterpene (9), along with nine known related metabolites (10-18). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations of 1-8 were proposed by comparison to the biosynthetically related known compound 12. Cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities of these isolates were also investigated. The results showed that compound 11 exhibited good antibacterial activity against Serratia marcescens compared to the positive control ampicillin at a dosage of 100 μg/disk. Compound 17 showed strong inhibition toward elastase release generation at 10 μM.