Biodiversity of epiphytic macroalgae (<em>Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta</em>, and <em>Rhodophyta</em>) on leaves of <em>Zostera marina</em> in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula

Abstract

The composition, abundance, and distribution of epiphytic macroalgae living in meadows of Zostera marina L. in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula are here analyzed. We identified 63 species: 40 red algae, 16 brown algae, and 7 green algae. Most of them are classified as filamentous or filiform functional forms, while Pneophyllum fragile Kütz. was the only encrusting species. In general, the surface covered by epiphytes on the leaves of Zostera marina was low and a 43% of species were only found in juvenile stages. Regarding their frequency, 10 species were collected in the majority of the areas, while others were rare. Most species were found both epiphytic and in other substrata of the meadows, but 9 were exclusively epiphytic. We detected 9 introduced species.Resumen. Se han analizado la composición, la abundancia y la distribución de macroalgas epifitas que viven en praderas de Zostera marina L. del noroeste de la península ibérica. Se han identificado 63 especies: 40 algas rojas, 16 pardas y 7 verdes. La mayoría pertenecen a los grupos funcionales filamentosos o filiformes, excepto Pneophyllum fragile Kütz., la única especie costrosa. En general, la cobertura de epifitos en las hojas de Zostera marina fue baja y un 43% de las especies solo se encontraron como estadios juveniles. En cuanto a su frecuencia, 10 de ellas se recolectaron en la mayoría de las áreas, mientras que el resto fueron más raras. La mayor parte de las especies se encontraron tanto epifitas como en otros substratos de las praderas, si bien 9 resultaron exclusivamente epifitas. Detectamos 9 especies introducidas.How to cite this article: García-Redondo V., Bárbara I. & Díaz-Tapia P. 2019. Biodiversity of epiphytic macroalgae (Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta, and Rhodophyta) on leaves of Zostera maritima in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. Anales del Jardín Botánico de Madrid 76 (1): e078. https://doi.org/10.3989/ajbm.2502.Title in Spanish: Biodiversidad de macroalgas epifitas ( Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta y Rhodophyta) e n hojas de Z ostera marina en el noroeste de la península ibérica.

Coastal ocean acidification and nitrogen loading facilitate invasions of the non-indigenous red macroalga, Dasysiphonia japonica

“…Given Dasysiphonia can grow epiphytically on other macroalgae (Moore and Harries 2009; Supplementary Fig. S2) and seagrass (García-Redondo et al 2019), the further invasion, proliferation, and overgrowth of this macroalga in response to acidification and eutrophication could disrupt seaweed assemblages and/or seagrass beds due to decreased light availability (Valiela et al 1997) and/or direct competition for nutrients (Duarte 1995;Young and Gobler 2017;Young et al 2018). Macroalgal overgrowth can also smother benthic habitats and promote diel hypoxia/anoxia (Liu et al 2009;Valiela and Cole 2002;Valiela et al 1997).…”

Differences of photosynthesis and nutrient utilization in Sargassum fusiforme and its main epiphyte, Ulva lactuca

“…Epiphytic algae including microalgae (such as diatoms and cyanobacteria) and macroalgae frequently attach to and grow on the surfaces of living organisms (such as seaweed) and nonliving organisms (such as reefs and culture rafts) (Fletcher, 1995; García‐Redondo et al, 2019; Sahu et al, 2020). These epiphytes can damage a host by attaching to or becoming entwined on host's surface and penetrating its cell wall to disrupt cortical tissue at attachment sites, or using penetrating rhizomes to reach medullary tissue (Garbary and Deckert, 2001; García‐Redondo et al, 2019; Kim et al, 2017). Furthermore, epiphytic algae adversely affect the photosynthesis and growth of various economic seaweeds through allelopathy and resource competition (Bittick et al, 2019; Kim et al, 2017; Xie et al, 2013).…”

“…Epiphytic algae including microalgae (such as diatoms and cyanobacteria) and macroalgae frequently attach to and grow on the surfaces of living organisms (such as seaweed) and nonliving organisms (such as reefs and culture rafts) (Fletcher, 1995;García-Redondo et al, 2019;Sahu et al, 2020). These epiphytes can damage a host by attaching to or becoming entwined on host's surface and penetrating its cell wall to disrupt cortical tissue at attachment sites, or using penetrating rhizomes to reach medullary tissue (Garbary and Deckert, 2001;García-Redondo et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2017). Furthermore, epiphytic algae adversely affect the photosynthesis and growth of various economic seaweeds through allelopathy and resource competition (Bittick et al, 2019;Kim et al, 2017;Xie et al, 2013).…”

Diversity and composition of algal epiphytes on the Mediterranean seagrass Cymodocea nodosa: a scale-based study

“…Piazzi et al 2016, Van der Ben 1971, those of C. nodosa are much less known. Also, in some instances, epiphytes were studied at the level of morphological functional-form groups, based on the classification proposed by Littler and Littler (1980) (see Pardi et al 2006, García-Redondo et al 2019). However, a classification at a functional group level (e.g., Ecological Status Groups, see Orfanidis et al 2001Orfanidis et al , 2011 relevant to nutrient and light levels, key aspects of eutrophication, has not been accomplished so far.…”