Differential polyphenolic distribution among tissues in the kelps Ecklonia maxima, Laminaria pallida and Macrocystis angustifolia in relation to plant-defence theory

Tugwell, S.; Branch, G. M.

doi:10.1016/0022-0981(89)90104-4

Cited by 96 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Phlorotannin concentrations (% dw) were higher in reproductive than in vegetative tissues in both algal species, as previously suggested by Van Alstyne et al (1999) for algae belonging to the order Laminariales (see also Steinberg 1984;Tugwell and Branch 1989). Phlorotannins have also been shown to occur in very low concentrations of »1% dw in vegetative blades of the congener Macrocystis pyrifera (Steinberg 1985;Winter and Estes 1992).…”

Section: Palatability Of Pellets and The Role Of Phlorotanninssupporting

confidence: 75%

“…Here the higher consumption of fresh reproductive material might be explained by constraints due to physiological changes that must occur when the tissue transforms from vegetative to reproductive. Furthermore, the reproductive structures are known to decay and be shed oV after releasing spores (F. Tala, personal communication), which might expose the undefended inner parts (Tugwell and Branch 1989;Shibata et al 2004) of the blade (medulla) to amphipod grazers. Possibly, the spores themselves might be easily consumed and digested by crustacean mesograzers, a situation observed in interactions between red algae and micro-grazers (Buschmann and Santelices 1987).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, meristematic and reproductive blade portions should be proportionally more defended than nonmeristematic vegetative blades, which are less important for the plant Wtness (Steinberg 1984;Tugwell and Branch 1989;Tuomi et al 1989;Van Alstyne et al 1999;Toth and Pavia 2002b). However, these predictions are highly dependent on speciWc Wtness values that are previously assigned for the tested tissues (see discussion in Pavia et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This pattern might also vary between taxonomic groups (Tuomi et al 1989;Van Alstyne et al 1999;Pavia et al 2002) or between particular algae that show distinct reproductive morphologies. For example, in kelps (Laminariales) higher chemical defenses (e.g., phlorotannin concentrations) were found in reproductive than in vegetative blades (Steinberg 1984;Paul and Fenical 1986;Tugwell and Branch 1989;Van Alstyne et al 1999), while in the rockweeds (Fucales) the defense allocation showed the opposite pattern (Tuomi et al 1989;Van Alstyne et al 1999;Pavia et al 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is well known that stipes and holdfasts of perennial algae are more defended than non-meristematic blade portions (Tugwell and Branch 1989;Macaya et al 2005; see also discussion in Pavia et al 2002). However, blades of these large kelps fulWll diVerent functions and defenses might vary depending on the function of a blade.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Species-specific defense strategies of vegetative versus reproductive blades of the Pacific kelps Lessonia nigrescens and Macrocystis integrifolia

et al. 2008

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Chemical defense is assumed to be costly and therefore algae should allocate defense investments in a way to reduce costs and optimize their overall Wtness. Thus, lifetime expectation of particular tissues and their contribution to the Wtness of the alga may aVect defense allocation. Two brown algae common to the SE PaciWc coasts, Lessonia nigrescens Bory and Macrocystis integrifolia Bory, feature important ontogenetic diVerences in the development of reproductive structures; in L. nigrescens blade tissues pass from a vegetative stage to a reproductive stage, while in M. integrifolia reproductive and vegetative functions are spatially separated on diVerent blades. We hypothesized that vegetative blades of L. nigrescens with important future functions are more (or equally) defended than reproductive blades, whereas in M. integrifolia defense should be mainly allocated to reproductive blades (sporophylls), which are considered to make a higher contribution to Wtness. Herein, within-plant variation in susceptibility of reproductive and vegetative tissues to herbivory and in allocation of phlorotannins (phenolics) and N-compounds was compared. The results show that phlorotannin and N-concentrations were higher in reproductive blade tissues for both investigated algae. However, preferences by amphipod grazers (Parhyalella penai) for either tissue type diVered between the two algal species. Fresh reproductive tissue of L. nigrescens was more consumed than vegetative tissue, while the reverse was found in M. integrifolia, thus conWrming the original hypothesis. This suggests that future Wtness function might indeed be a useful predictor of anti-herbivore defense in large, perennial kelps. Results from feeding assays with artiWcial pellets that were made with air-dried material and extract-treated Ulva powder indicated that defenses in live algae are probably not based on chemicals that can be extracted or remain intact after airdrying and grinding up algal tissues. Instead, anti-herbivore defense against amphipod mesograzers seems to depend on structural traits of living algae.

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