Epiphytes of Seagrasses

Borowitzka, Michael A.; Lavery, Paul S.; Keulen, M. van

doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-2983-7_19

Cited by 28 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 119 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Moreover, the epiphytic species zonation on leaves of Posidonia was reported to be related to the concentration of phenolic compounds produced in abundant quantities, depending on the state of stress caused by environmental conditions (Dumay et al 2004). However, the use of artificial leaves made of plastic tape showed the same apico-basal distribution of epiphytic algae (Trautman and Borowitzka 1999), supporting the hypothesis that epiphyte settlement was unlikely to be the result of changes in the surface chemistry of the leaves (Borowitzka et al 2006). These variations were likely due to differences in hydrodynamic or light intensity related to the shape and orientation of the leaves.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Variability patterns of epibenthic microalgae in eastern Tunisian coasts

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Summary: Epiphytic microalgae were monitored on various substrates of seagrass and macroalgae and in the water column for one year (from March 2013 to March 2014) in Oued Lafrann along the eastern coast of Chebba (Tunisia) with a focus on the distribution patterns of the epibenthic toxic dinoflagellates Ostreopsis cf. ovata, Prorocentrum lima and Coolia monotis. Microalgae assemblages were dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates both in the water column and on vegetation. High concentrations of epiphytic toxic and potentially toxic dinoflagellates were preferentially hosted by Posidonia leaves, mainly in the apical and middle regions of the leaves, and P. lima was the dominant species. A significant positive correlation was found between P. lima concentrations on Posidonia and in the water column, suggesting that macrophytes should be sampled in the framework of harmful algal species monitoring. Ostreopsis cf. ovata, exhibited low concentrations and was mainly present on the inner surface of the Posidonia leaf, whereas P. lima was mainly present on the outer surface of the leaf, suggesting a likely space competition.Keywords: Prorocentrum lima; Ostreopsis cf. ovata; Coolia monotis; Prorocentrum micans; magnoliophytes; macroalgae. Patrones de variabilidad de las microalgas epibentónicas en la costa este tunecinaResumen: Las microalgas epifitas fueron monitorizadas en varios sustratos de praderas marinas, macroalgas y en la columna de agua durante un año (de marzo 2013 hasta marzo 2014) en Oued Lafrann, en la costa este de Chebba (Túnez), con especial atención a la distribución de dinoflagelados tóxicos epibénicos, como Ostreopsis cf. ovata, Prorocentrum lima y Coolia monotis. Las comunidades de microalgas estaban dominadas por diatomeas y dinoflagelados, tanto en la columna de agua como en la vegetación. Se encontraron elevadas concentraciones de dinoflagelados epífitos tóxicos preferentemente en las hojas de Posidonia, principalmente en las regiones apicales y media y Prorocentrum lima fue la especie epífita dominante. Se observó una correlación positiva significativa entre las concentraciones de P. lima en Posidonia y en la columna de agua, lo que sugiere el muestreo de esta macrófita como parte de la monitorización de especies nocivas. Las células de Ostreopsis cf. ovata mostraron concentraciones bajas y se encontraron principalmente en la superficie interior de la hoja de Posidonia contrariamente a la distribución de P. lima presente principalmente en la superficie exterior de la lámina. Este hecho probablemente sugiere una competencia espacial entre los dos microalgas tóxicas.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Variability patterns of epibenthic microalgae in eastern Tunisian coasts

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Instead of the entire leaf, bacterial epiphytes prefer young leaf tips and mature leaf bases, which has been observed in Zostera marina and Posidonia oceanica leaf tips and base [12] [13]. This apico-basal pattern of epiphyte colonization is also observed for other seagrass species like Cymodocea rotundata and T. hemprichii [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 52%

“…They are highly productive ecosystems particularly in oligotrophic waters [3] [4]. This high productivity in seagrass ecosystem also generates a great amount of organic matter and serves as a good substratum for a rich diversity of microorganisms forming an integral part of the seagrass ecosystem [8]. These microbes (i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microbial loops are essential in all types of marine ecosystems but most important in coastal oligotrophic waters where the available nutrients are less and the ecosystem depends on microbes for recycling of organic matter [3] [10]. These microbial communities form a significant part of the epiphytic communities on seagrass ecosystem consisting of bacteria, fungi and protozoa [8] [11]. The distribution and abundance of epiphytes on seagrass leaves depend mainly on the morphology and life span of the portion colonized by epiphytes [8] such as the young leaves or mature leaves.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These microbial communities form a significant part of the epiphytic communities on seagrass ecosystem consisting of bacteria, fungi and protozoa [8] [11]. The distribution and abundance of epiphytes on seagrass leaves depend mainly on the morphology and life span of the portion colonized by epiphytes [8] such as the young leaves or mature leaves. These bacterial communities of seagrass leaves are diverse and include various genus of Alteromonas, Brochothrix, Moraxella, Marinobacter, Pseudomonas and Vibrio [12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Epiphytic Bacterial Communities in Seagrass Meadows of Oligotrophic Waters of Andaman Sea

Mishra¹,

Mohanraju²

2018

OALib

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The epiphytic microbial communities of seagrass (Cymodocea rotundata and Thalassia testudinum) along with sediments and seawater of the seagrass ecosystem of Andaman Sea were assessed for heterotrophic bacterial communities. Young leaves of C. nodosa and T. testudinum sediments and water samples were collected from two different locations at Burmanala and Havelock island. Young leaves were swabbed and transferred into Alkaline peptone water along with 1 gm of sediments and 1 ml of seawater for initial microbial enrichments, followed by culture of microbes in Salt Yeast Extract Agar. Thiosulphate Citrate Bile Salt agar was used for seagrass leaves, sediments and water for culturing of Vibrio like microbes. The observed colonies were morphologically (colour) identified first and then further identification was done by Gram staining and various biochemical tests. Sediment bacterial count was 10-fold higher than seagrass and water column communities. Morphologically 29% of total bacterial colonies identified were of grey and white colour. T. testudinum bacterial epiphytes were 2-fold higher than C. rotundata communities. Gram negative bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas, Vibrios and Aeromonas dominated the bacterial colonies than gram positive bacteria of Bacillus and Micrococcus. Vibrios were only observed on seagrass leaves. Seagrass harboured more gram positive bacterial colonies than gram negative, which were dominated in the sediments of seagrass ecosystem. The bacterial communities of landward site of Burmanala and Havelock were similar whereas 2-fold higher communities were observed at the seaward site of Havelock site on T. testudinum. Seagrass ecosystem bacterial epiphytic communities are diverse in oligotrophic waters.

show abstract

Factors modulating herbivory patterns in Cymodocea nodosa meadows

Jiménez–Ramos

Egea

Vergara

et al. 2021

Limnology & Oceanography

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In coastal marine food webs, seagrass‐grazer interactions play a fundamental role in ecological processes by regulating the structure and functioning of plant communities. Therefore, assessing the strength of these seagrass‐grazer links and identifying the mechanisms that regulate these relationships are crucial to increasing our understanding of community and ecosystem structure and dynamics. Herbivory on the temperate seagrass Cymodocea nodosa was evaluated in four locations with contrasting abiotic and biotic factors (i.e., depth; meadow size; seagrass shoot density, productivity, and leaf traits; and herbivore presence) using cross‐transplantation experiments carried out once per season to account for seasonal variation. Patterns of feeding rates on C. nodosa meadows showed high temporal variability, with peaks occurring in spring and summer. Results indicate that between 46.59% and 74.08% of the annual leaf production is lost to herbivory at the locations sampled in this study. Herbivory rates increased with higher nitrogen content and shoot density for all types of consumers (mesograzers, fishes, and sea urchins). This work highlights the need to integrate the abiotic and biotic factors modulating herbivory patterns, particularly in a foundation species like C. nodosa, for which changes in plant traits and grazer abundance may trigger trophic cascades with far‐reaching consequences for associated species.

show abstract

Epiphytes of Seagrasses

Cited by 28 publications

References 119 publications

Variability patterns of epibenthic microalgae in eastern Tunisian coasts

Variability patterns of epibenthic microalgae in eastern Tunisian coasts

Epiphytic Bacterial Communities in Seagrass Meadows of Oligotrophic Waters of Andaman Sea

Factors modulating herbivory patterns in Cymodocea nodosa meadows

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About