Variations in the Structure, Morphology and Biomass of Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean Sea

Meinesz, A.; Bénichou, Laurence; Blachier, J.; Komatsu, T.; Lemée, Rodolphe; Molenaar, H.; Mari, Xavier

doi:10.1515/botm.1995.38.1-6.499

Cited by 97 publications

(57 citation statements)

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“…Wiedenmann et al, 2001;Famaè t al., 2002). The 'aquarium-Mediterranean' strain also resembles the Moreton Bay population morphologically, both of these having more robust thalli than C. taxifolia found elsewhere (Meinesz et al, 1995;Komatsu et al, 1997;Phillips & Price, 2002). Moreton Bay experiences minimum winter temperatures similar to the Mediterranean Sea and the two populations of C. taxifolia thus exhibit similar cold tolerance thresholds (Komatsu et al, 1997;Chisholm et al, 2000;Phillips & Price, 2002;Burfeind & Udy, 2009).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Description of a new marine diatom,Cocconeis caulerpacola sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), epiphytic on invasiveCaulerpaspecies

Car

Witkowski

Dobosz

et al. 2012

European Journal of Phycology

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A new species of Cocconeis has been found growing on thalli of the invasive green alga Caulerpa taxifolia collected from the Croatian Adriatic Sea (Bay of Stari Grad, the Island of Hvar, Central Adriatic, Croatia), the coasts of the Mediterranean (Saint Raphae¨l, west of Cannes, France) and the eastern coast of Australia (Moreton Bay, southeast Queensland). Additionally, it was observed on samples of Caulerpa racemosa, another invasive alga in the Mediterranean. Preserved thalli of Caulerpa and cleaned material of the new diatom were studied by light and electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The morphology and fine structure of the new marine epiphytic diatom, for which we propose the name Cocconeis caulerpacola Witkowski, Car & Dobosz, was determined, including the internal and external structure of the raphe and sternum valve, and the cingulum. Comparison between the new species and three closely related species, C. borbonica, C. diruptoides and C. pseudodiruptoides, was made using material from our samples, as well as material from Vis (Adriatic Sea) obtained from the Hustedt collection. Surprisingly, C. caulerpacola is able to colonize Caulerpa taxifolia in very high abundance, but its occurrence seems to be strongly patchy. Indeed, it seems that C. taxifolia is a suitable host for epiphytic diatoms, in particular this tiny Cocconeis, despite its reputation as a 'killer seaweed'. Cocconeis caulerpacola was observed on Caulerpa species in varying abundance over a wide geographical range.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Description of a new marine diatom,Cocconeis caulerpacola sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), epiphytic on invasiveCaulerpaspecies

Car

Witkowski

Dobosz

et al. 2012

European Journal of Phycology

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“…The Mediterranean strain of C. taxifolia, apart from its modified vegetative cycle, has higher coverage, productivity, sociability rate; longer fronds, and lack of sexual reproduction (Boudouresque et al, 1995;Meinesz et al, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Phenology of <i>Caulerpa taxifolia</i> and temporal dynamics of its epibiontic meiofauna in the port of Malinska (Croatia, northern Adriatic Sea)

Travizi¹,

Zavodnik²

2004

Sci. Mar.

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SUMMARY:The qualitative and quantitative composition of epibiontic meiofauna were studied in the C. taxifolia settlement recently recorded in the Malinska port (Krk Island, northern Adriatic Sea). The samples were taken monthly, from May 1998 till June 1999 covering the complete life cycle of C. taxifolia. In total, 14 meiofaunal taxa were recorded. The meiofauna assemblage was characterized by the dominance of Copepoda (58%), the subdominant position of Nematoda (25%), and the low single participation of other taxa. The results of monthly monitoring indicated a seasonal trend in meiofaunal distribution. The beginning of the summer was a period of a low meiofaunal abundance (139 ind. sample -1 ), and also a start of its exponential increase. The autumn was characterized by a fairly high abundance (~1000-1500 ind. sample -1 ) and moderate variation of the constituent taxa levels. During the winter exponential growth (to about 10000 ind. sample -1 ) and high faunal diversity was detected. In subsequent months meiofaunal abundance reached over 19.000 ind. sample -1 -remaining extremely high until May when C. taxifolia fronds disappeared. The increase of meiofaunal abundance was positively correlated with the increase of the algal frond's length during the summer-autumn period, and with the increasing quantity of sediment particles and detritus accumulated on algal fronds during the C. taxifolia vegetative cycle. This study has shown that C. taxifolia can provide a suitable habitat for numerous benthic invertebrates, although it is known as a species that reduces the benthic biodiversity. -Se estudió la composición cualitativa y cuantitativa de la meiofauna epibionte en la implantación de Caulerpa taxifolia recientemente registrada en el puerto de Malinska (isla de Krk, mar Adriático septentrional). Se tomaron muestras mensuales, desde mayo de 1998 a junio de 1999, cubriendo el ciclo biológi-co completo de C. taxifolia. En total, se registraron 14 táxones de meiofauna. La comunidad de la meiofauna se caracterizó por la dominancia de copépodos (58%), la posición subdominante de los nemátodos (25%) y la participación reducida de los demás grupos. Los resultados del seguimiento mensual indicaron una tendencia estacional en la distribución de la meiofauna. El inicio del verano fue un período de abundancia reducida de la meiofauna (139 ind. muestra -1 ), y también el comienzo de su aumento exponencial. El otoño se caracterizó por una abundancia relativamente elevada (~ 1000-1500 ind. muestra -1 ) y por la variación moderada de los niveles taxonómicos constituyentes. Durante el invierno se detectó un crecimiento exponencial (hasta cerca de 10.000 ind. muestra -1 ) y una elevada diversidad faunística. En los meses siguientes la abundancia de la meiofauna alcanzó unos 19.000 ind. muestra -1 , y siguió muy alta hasta mayo, cuando desaparecieron los frondes de C. taxifolia. El aumento en la abundancia de la meiofauna estuvo correlacionado positivamente con el aumento de la longitud de los frondes algales durante el período de...

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“…Sixty-six samples of Caulerpa taxifolia were obtained at a depth of 2 to 4 m, near One Mile Jetty, North Stradbroke Island, Moreton Bay, Australia (153°22' E, 27°27' S), in March 1997, by snorkeling. Samples were gathered from locations no closer than 5 m apart to minimise the chance of obtaining 2 or more samples from the same plant (maximum stolon length in the Mediterranean of 2.8 m, see Meinesz et al 1995). Samples were placed in clear plastic bottles containing fresh seawater and transported by air to Monaco in hand luggage; thus, samples were never exposed to temperatures below 20°C.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This is surprising given the existence of published records of the species in Bermuda (Taylor 1960), Mauritania (Feldman 1951), northern Senegal (Harper & Garbary 1997), the Gulf of Suez (Lipkin 1973) and subtropical Australia (Cribb 1958), where sea temperatures fall below the proclaimed 20°C survival threshold (Meinesz et al 1994, Caye et al 1996, Meinesz & Boudouresque 1996, Boudouresque 1997, Komatsu et al 1997, Meinesz 1997.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Coppejans & Prud'Homme van Reine 1992, Span & Antolic 1994. It has been argued, however, that C. taxifolia is not naturally able to withstand northern Mediterranean winter seawater temperatures of 12 to 14°C and that wild populations do not grow in water cooler than 20°C (Meinesz et al 1994, Caye et al 1996, Meinesz & Boudouresque 1996, Boudouresque 1997, Komatsu et al 1997, Meinesz 1997. On this basis, it is claimed that the Mediterranean strain is not of natural origin and that it acquired enhanced cold tolerance through genetic modification or artificial selection while under culture in aquaria (Meinesz & Hesse 1991, Meinesz et al 1994, Caye et al 1996, Meinesz & Boudouresque 1996, Boudouresque 1997, Komatsu et al 1997, Meinesz 1997, Jousson et al 1998.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effect of low water temperature on metabolism and growth of a subtropical strain of Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta)

Chisholm¹,

Marchioretti²,

Jaubert³

2000

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The cold tolerance capacity of samples of the marine green alga Caulerpa taxifolia, obtained from Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Australia, was investigated by exposing samples to seawater temperatures of 9 to 15°C, for periods of 4 to 10 wk, after maintenance at 22°C. Residual effects of cold water exposure were evaluated by re-acclimating samples to 22°C. Phenotypic expression and survivorship were monitored throughout both cold treatment and re-acclimation phases. Measurements of photosynthesis and respiration were made toward the end of the cold treatments and after re-acclimation. Samples exposed to 9 and 11°C water exhibited retraction or loss of chloroplasts (or chlorophyll) from the mid-rib regions of the pseudo-fronds. After 4 wk of exposure to 9°C the only green coloured regions of the fronds were the extremities of the pinnules; 1 to 2 wk later these samples began to decompose. Samples kept at 11°C retained the bulk of their photosynthetic pigments and survived throughout experiments. The stolons of samples tended to grow upward toward the seawater surface rather than parallel to the substratum. Samples at all treatment temperatures tended to become progressively detached from the substratum through stolon extension without intermittent rhizoid attachment. Several samples became fragmented and covered with mucilaginous epiphytes during re-acclimation, such that those lacking rhizoid anchorages, rose to the seawater surface, buoyed by metabolic gases trapped in the mucilage. During cold treatment, the maximal rates of gross and net photosynthesis (P m g and P m n ), normalised to dry weight or tissue protein content, and the ratio of P m g to dark respiration (-R) varied directly with temperature. The irradiance required for compensation (I c ) varied inversely with temperature. The rate of dark respiration increased with cold exposure. Calculation of whole day net production indicated that rates of photosynthesis among samples incubated at 13°C or below were insufficient to maintain existing tissue biomass. There were no residual effects of cold exposure after re-acclimation, except that 11°C samples failed to increase in relative protein content as a function of ambient irradiance, perhaps due to nitrogen limitation. Results indicate a cold-tolerance threshold of 9 to 11°C, thus genetic modification does not need to be invoked to explain the occurrence of C. taxifolia in the northwest Mediterranean. KEY WORDS: Caulerpa taxifolia · Cold tolerance · Moreton Bay · MediterraneanResale or republication not permitted without written consent of the publisher

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Variations in the Structure, Morphology and Biomass of Caulerpa taxifolia in the Mediterranean Sea

Cited by 97 publications

References 11 publications

Description of a new marine diatom,Cocconeis caulerpacola sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), epiphytic on invasiveCaulerpaspecies

Description of a new marine diatom,Cocconeis caulerpacola sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), epiphytic on invasiveCaulerpaspecies

Phenology of <i>Caulerpa taxifolia</i> and temporal dynamics of its epibiontic meiofauna in the port of Malinska (Croatia, northern Adriatic Sea)

Effect of low water temperature on metabolism and growth of a subtropical strain of Caulerpa taxifolia (Chlorophyta)

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