Effects of ultraviolet radiation and water motion on the reef coral Porites compressa Dana: a flume experiment

The effects of water flow and ultraviolet radiation (UVR, 280–400 nm) on the reef coral Porites compressa Dana were explored in a manipulative flume experiment. The aim of this study was to determine whether this coral responds to changes in the UVR environment by adjusting the tissue concentration of UV-absorbing compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs), and to see whether such an acclimation is affected by water flow. Also, calcification rate and chlorophyll-a concentration were measured during the experiment to estimate the potential costs (in the form of slowed growth and/or reduced photosynthetic capacity) to the coral–alga symbiosis of being exposed to UVR and producing MAAs. Branches of P. compressa from a single male colony were exposed to high or low flow (15 cm s⁻¹ and 3 cm s⁻¹, respectively) and ambient or no UVR in an outdoor, continuous-flow seawater system. Chlorophyll-a and MAA concentrations were determined after zero, 3 and 6 weeks of exposure to the experimental conditions. Increase in buoyant weight during the two 3-week periods was used to calculate calcification rate. The presence of UVR had a significant positive effect on total MAA concentration in the P. compressa colonies; however, there were significant interactions present. In colonies exposed to UVR, MAA concentration increased and then decreased to initial levels in high water flow, and increased steadily in low water flow. In colonies receiving no UVR, MAA concentration decreased steadily, declining 23% in 6 weeks. The absence of UVR did not result in higher chlorophyll-a concentrations, but the calcification rate was slightly affected by UVR. This study supports the putative photoprotective role of MAAs in P. compressa, and suggests that the costs of mitigating the effects of ambient UVR are detectable, but they are very small. Received: 29 February 2000 / Accepted: 20 September 2000     

Effect of sub-lethal damage to juvenile colonies of massive Porites spp. under contrasting regimes of temperature and water flow

In this study, juvenile colonies of massive Porites spp. (a combination of P. lutea and P. lobata) from the lagoon of Moorea (W 149°50′, S 17°30′) were damaged and exposed to contrasting conditions of temperature and flow to evaluate how damage and abiotic conditions interact to affect growth, physiological performance, and recovery. The experiment was conducted in April and May 2008 and consisted of two treatments in which corals were either undamaged (controls) or damaged through gouging of tissue and skeleton in a discrete spot mimicking the effects of corallivorous fishes that utilize an excavating feeding mode. The two groups of corals were incubated for 10 days in microcosms that crossed levels of temperature (26.7 and 29.6°C) and flow (6 and 21 cm s⁻¹), and the response assessed as overall colony growth (change in weight), dark-adapted quantum yield of PSII (F _v/F _m), and healing of the gouged areas. The influence of damage on growth was affected by temperature, but not by flow. When averaged across flow treatments, damage promoted growth by 25% at 26.7°C, but caused a 25% inhibition at 29.6°C. The damage also affected F _v/F _m in a pattern that differed between flow speeds, with a 10% reduction at 6 cm s⁻¹, but a 4% increase at 21 cm s⁻¹. Regardless of damage, F _v/F _m at 21 cm s⁻¹ was 11% lower at 26.7°C than at 29.6°C, but was unaffected by temperature at 6 cm s⁻¹. The lesions declined in area at similar rates (4–5% day⁻¹) under all conditions, although the tissue within them regained a normal appearance most rapidly at 26.7°C and 6 cm s⁻¹. These findings show that the response of poritid corals to sub-lethal damage is dependent partly on abiotic conditions, and they are consistent with the hypothesis that following damage, calcification and photosynthesis can compete for metabolites necessary for repair, with the outcome affected by flow-mediated mass transfer. These results may shed light upon the ways in which poritid corals respond to biting by certain corallivorous fishes.     

Microsensor studies of photosynthesis and respiration in larger symbiotic foraminifera. I The physico-chemical microenvironment of Marginopora vertebralis, Amphistegina lobifera and Amphisorus hemprichii

 The physico-chemical microenvironment of larger benthic foraminifera was studied with microsensors for O₂, CO₂, pH, Ca²⁺ and scalar irradiance. Under saturating light conditions, the photosynthetic activity of the endosymbiotic algae increased the O₂ up to 183% air saturation and a pH of up to 8.6 was measured at the foraminiferal shell surface. The photosynthetic CO₂ fixation decreased the CO₂ at the shell down to 4.7 μM. In the dark, the respiration of host and symbionts decreased the O₂ level to 91% air saturation and the CO₂ concentration reached up to 12 μM. pH was lowered relative to the ambient seawater pH of 8.2. The endosymbionts responded immediately to changing light conditions, resulting in dynamic changes of O₂, CO₂ and pH at the foraminiferal shell surface during experimentally imposed light–dark cycles. The dynamic concentration changes demonstrated for the first time a fast exchange of metabolic gases through the perforate, hyaline shell of Amphistegina lobifera. A diffusive boundary layer (DBL) limited the solute exchange between the foraminifera and the surrounding water. The DBL reached a thickness of 400–700 μm in stagnant water and was reduced to 100–300 μm under flow conditions. Gross photosynthesis rates were significantly higher under flow conditions (4.7 nmol O₂ cm⁻³ s⁻¹) than in stagnant water (1.6 nmol O₂ cm ⁻³ s⁻¹), whereas net photosynthesis rates were unaffected by flow conditions. The Ca²⁺ microprofiles demonstrated a spatial variation in sites of calcium uptake over the foraminiferal shells. Ca²⁺ gradients at the shell surface showed total Ca²⁺ uptake rates of 0.6 to 4.2 nmol cm⁻² h⁻¹ in A. lobifera and 1.7 to 3.6 nmol cm⁻² h⁻¹ in Marginopora vertebralis. The scattering and reflection of the foraminiferal calcite shell increased the scalar irradiance at the surface up to 205% of the incident irradiance. Transmittance measurements across the calcite shell suggest that the symbionts are shielded from higher light levels, receiving approximately 30% of the incident light for photosynthesis. Received: 6 July 1999 / Accepted: 28 April 2000     

Irradiance and temperature regulation of oxygenic photosynthesis and O2 consumption in a hypersaline cyanobacterial mat (Solar Lake, Egypt)

 Short-term effects of temperature and irradiance on oxygenic photosynthesis and O₂ consumption in a hypersaline cyanobacterial mat were investigated with O₂ microsensors in a laboratory. The effect of temperature on O₂ fluxes across the mat–water interface was studied in the dark and at a saturating high surface irradiance (2162 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) in the temperature range from 15 to 45 °C. Areal rates of dark O₂ consumption increased almost linearly with temperature. The apparent activation energy of 18 kJ mol⁻¹ and the corresponding Q ₁₀ value (25 to 35 °C) of 1.3 indicated a relative low temperature dependence of dark O₂ consumption due to mass transfer limitations imposed by the diffusive boundary layer at all temperatures. Areal rates of net photosynthesis increased with temperature up to 40 °C and exhibited a Q ₁₀ value (20 to 30 °C) of 2.8. Both O₂ dynamics and rates of gross photosynthesis at the mat surface increased with temperature up to 40 °C, with the most pronounced increase of gross photosynthesis at the mat surface between 25 and 35 °C (Q ₁₀ of 3.1). In another mat sample, measurements at increasing surface irradiances (0 to 2319 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) were performed at 25, 33 (the in situ temperature) and 40 °C. At all temperatures, areal rates of gross photosynthesis saturated with no significant reduction due to photoinhibition at high irradiances. The initial slope and the onset of saturation (E _k = 148 to 185 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) estimated from P versus E _d curves showed no clear trend with temperature, while maximal photosynthesis increased with temperature. Gross photosynthesis was stimulated by temperature at each irradiance except at the lowest irradiance of 54 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, where oxygenic gross photosynthesis and also the thickness of the photic zone was significantly reduced at 40 °C. The compensation irradiance increased with temperature, from 32 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ at 25 °C to 77 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ at 40 °C, due to increased rates of O₂ consumption relative to gross photosynthesis. Areal rates of O₂ consumption in the illuminated mat were higher than dark O₂ consumption at corresponding temperatures, due to an increasing O₂ consumption in the photic zone with increasing irradiance. Both light and temperature enhanced the internal O₂ cycling within hypersaline cyanobacterial mats. Received: 30 November 1999 / Accepted: 11 April 2000     

Photosynthetic activity of the non-dormant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Posidonia oceanica</Emphasis> seed

The photosynthetic adaptive features of non-dormant seeds in Posidonia oceanica were studied in order to evaluate the effects of light on germination success. Transmission electron micrographs showed the presence of chloroplasts in the epidermal cells, close to the nucleus at the periphery of the cytoplasm. The well-developed thylakoid membranes and the presence of starch granules indicated that the chloroplasts were photosynthetically active. The relationship between photosynthesis versus irradiance in P. oceanica seeds incubated at 15 and 21°C was analysed. The net photosynthesis in the non-dormant seed of P. oceanica was positive and compensated its respiration demand (90 μmol quanta m⁻² s⁻¹) at both temperatures. Net photosynthesis was negative at the other irradiance values. To test the effects of light on germination success, seeds were placed both in dark and light conditions. Germination success was significantly higher in light rather than in dark condition. The characteristics observed in the photosynthesis in P. oceanica seed could be a mechanism to guarantee seedling survival in temperate waters, demonstrating though the specialized nature of this species.     

The oxygen microenvironment adjacent to the tissue of the scleractinian Dichocoenia stokesii and its effects on symbiont metabolism

The biology of symbiotic scleractinians is profoundly influenced by their intracellular zooxanthellae, and many studies have focused on the mechanistic basis of this influence. This has usually been accomplished by examining the metabolism of zooxanthellae under physical conditions measured in the open reef and assumed to be similar to conditions in hospite. Recent advances in the measurement of conditions near and within coral tissue suggests that this assumption may result in substantial errors. To address this possibility, the role of water flow in determining oxygen saturation adjacent to the tissue of Dichocoenia stokesii was investigated, and the effect of these measured oxygen saturations on the respiration and photosynthesis of zooxanthellae isolated from the same species was quantified. Using a microelectrode (700 μm diam), we measured oxygen saturations above (≤4 mm) the tissue in two flow speeds over 24 h periods in a flume receiving sunlight at in situ levels. The results were used as a proxy for ecologically relevant intracellular oxygen saturations, which were applied to zooxanthellae in vitro to assess their effect on symbiont metabolism. Microenvironment oxygen saturations (% air saturation) ranged from 74–159% in slow flow (2.7 cm s⁻¹) to 88–110% in faster flow (7.5 cm s⁻¹) over day–night cycles. Therefore, the metabolic rates of zooxanthellae were measured at 50 to 54% (hypoxia), 98 to 102% (normoxia) and 146 to 150% (hyperoxia) oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation significantly affected the metabolism of zooxanthellae, with gross photosynthesis increasing 1.2-fold and dark respiration increasing 2-fold under hyperoxia compared to hypoxia. These results suggest that the metabolism of zooxanthellae in hospite is affected markedly by their microenvironment which, in turn, is influenced by flow-mediated mass transfer. Received: 13 July 1998 / Accepted: 30 April 1999     

In situ measurements of photosynthetic irradiance responses of two Red Sea sponges growing under dim light conditions

Photosynthetic responses to irradiance by the photosymbionts of the two Red Sea sponges Theonella swinhoei (Gray) and Clionavastifica (Hancock) growing under dim light conditions were measured in situ (in September 1997) using a newly developed underwater pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. Relative rates of photosynthetic electron transport (ETR) were calculated as the effective quantum yield of photosystem II (Y ) multiplied with the photosynthetic photon flux (PPF). Photosynthesis versus irradiance (P-I ) curves, obtained within minutes, showed that individual specimens of both sponges, growing under very low light conditions, feature lower light saturation points as well as lower maximal ETRs than individuals growing under higher light. Evaluations of such curves using low irradiances of the actinic light source (20 to 130 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) showed a general decrease in Y, with a shoulder from the lowest irradiance applied till 20 to 30 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. Point measurements yielded ETRs close to what could be estimated from the P-I curves. These point measurements also revealed good correlations between the diurnally changing ambient irradiances (1 to 50 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) and average ETR values for both species. Further analysis showed that although Y values varied considerably between the different point measurements, they did not decrease significantly with light under these very low irradiances. Therefore, PPF rather than Y seems to determine the in situ diel photosynthetic performance at the low ambient irradiances experienced by these sponges. Received: 22 November 1997 / Accepted: 8 April 1998     

Variation in colony geometry modulates internal light levels in branching corals, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropora humilis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stylophora pistillata</Emphasis>

Colonial photosynthetic marine organisms often exhibit morphological phenotypic plasticity. Where such plasticity leads to an improved balance between rates of photosynthesis and maintenance costs, it is likely to have adaptive significance. To explore whether such phenotypic plasticity leads to more favourable within-colony irradiance for reef-building branching corals, this relationship was investigated for two coral species Acropora humilis and Stylophora pistillata, along a depth gradient representing light habitats ranging from 500 to 25 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹, during 2006 at Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef (23.44°S, 151.91°E). In the present study changes in flow-modulated mass transfer co-varied with light as a function of depth. In low-light (deep) habitats, branch spacing (colony openness) in A. humilis and S. pistillata was 40–50% greater than for conspecifics in high-light environments. Also, branches of A. humilis in deep water were 40–60% shorter than in shallow water. Phenotypic changes in these two variables lead to steeper within-colony light attenuation resulting in 38% higher mean internal irradiance (at the tissue surface) in deep colonies compared to shallow colonies. The pattern of branch spacing was similar for S. pistillata, but this species displayed an alternate strategy with respect to branch length: shade adapted deep and cave colonies developed longer and thinner branches, allowing access to higher mass transfer and irradiance. Corals in cave habitats allowed 20% more irradiance compared to colonies found in the deep, and had a 47% greater proportion of irradiance compared to colonies in the shallow high-light environment. Such phenotypic regulation of internal light levels on branch surfaces partly explains the broad light niches of many branching coral species. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Growth and grazing responses of Chrysochromulina ericina (Prymnesiophyceae): the role of irradiance, prey concentration and pH

The effect of irradiance, prey concentration and pH on the growth and grazing responses of the mixotrophic prymnesiophyte Chrysochromulina ericina under N-and P-replete conditions was studied using the pedinophyte Marsupiomonas pelliculata as prey. The two organisms were inoculated in monocultures and in mixed cultures at different predator: prey ratios at three irradiances and allowed to grow for 4–7 days. All cultures were non-axenic. Algal densities and pH were monitored throughout the experiments and growth and grazing rates were measured. An increase in growth of C. ericina cultures at irradiances of 25 and 70 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ was observed after the addition of prey, while growth of C. ericina cultures at the high irradiance (150 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) was unaffected by the addition of prey. However, although the growth of C. ericina increased at low irradiance (25 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), it did not reach the same level as monocultures at the high irradiance (150 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), suggesting that phagotrophy can only partly replace photosynthesis in C. ericina. Maximum growth rates of C. ericina at irradiances of 25 and 70 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ were obtained at concentrations of > 0.15–0.3×10⁵ M. pelliculata ml⁻¹, corresponding to 50–100 μg C 1⁻¹. Ingestion of M. pelliculata cells by C. ericina did not generally follow Michaelis—Menten kinetics. Deviation from the expected saturation kinetics was especially pronounced at irradiances of 70 and 150 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. At these irradiances ingestion of M. pelliculata cells by C. ericina decreased at high concentrations of M. pelliculata, indicating an increased uptake of bacterial prey in these cultures. The growth rate of C. ericina was affected in both monocultures and in mixed cultures when pH increased above 8.6, and growth stopped around pH 9. The prey alga M. pelliculata tolerated high pH better and, consequently, took over in the mixed cultures when pH exceeded 9. The ecological significance of mixotrophy in the genus Chrysochromulina is discussed. Published online: 4 July 2002     

Feeding behaviour of the sea cucumber <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumaria frondosa</Emphasis> (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the laboratory and the field: relationships between tentacle insertion rate,flow speed,and ingestion

The sea cucumber, Cucumaria frondosa, is a benthic suspension feeder that captures food particles on its tentacles and then inserts them into its mouth one at a time. Previous studies have suggested that tentacle insertion rate (TIR) could be a useful indicator of food intake. The present study determined whether flow velocity affects TIR and whether TIR is a good indicator of ingestion. Video observations of sea cucumbers in Passamaquoddy Bay (45°01.70N, 66°55.74W) in August 1995 showed that TIRs increased with velocities up to 55 cm s⁻¹ and decreased steadily at flows above that up to 130 cm s⁻¹. In October 2006, laboratory flume studies were carried out on specimens collected from the same site in the previous August. Temperature and salinity (12°C and 32) in the flume were the same as in the field at the time of collection. There was high individual variation in feeding behavior at free-stream velocities of 4–40 cm s⁻¹ and TIR was independent of flow. As the number of tentacle insertions increased in the flume experiments, the amount of chloropigments in the digestive tracts of the sea cucumbers also increased. This suggests that TIR, which can be measured non-intrusively using remote video techniques, could be a good indicator of feeding behavior and ingestion in C. frondosa.     

Settlement of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macoma balthica</Emphasis> larvae in response to benthic diatom films

The role of multi-species benthic diatom films (BDF) in the settlement of late pediveliger larvae of the bivalve Macoma balthica was investigated in still-water bioassays and multiple choice flume experiments. Axenic diatom cultures that were isolated from a tidal mudflat inhabited by M. balthica were selected to develop BDF sediment treatments characterized by a different community structure, biomass, and amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Control sediments had no added diatoms. Although all larvae settled and initiated burrowing within the first minute after their addition in still water, regardless of treatment, only 48–52% had completely penetrated the high diatom biomass treatments after 5 min, while on average 80 and 69% of the larvae had settled and burrowed into the control sediments and BDF with a low diatom biomass (<3.5 μg Chl a g⁻¹ dry sediment), respectively. The percentage of larvae settling and burrowing into the sediment was negatively correlated with the concentration of Chl a and EPS of the BDF. This suggests higher physical resistance to bivalve penetration by the BDF with higher diatom biomass and more associated sugar and protein compounds. The larval settlement rate in annular flume experiments at flow velocities of 5 and 15 cm s⁻¹ was distinctly lower compared to the still-water assays. Only 4.6–5.8% of the larvae were recovered from BDF and control sediments after 3 h. Nonetheless, a clear settlement preference was observed for BDF in the flume experiments; i.e., larvae settled significantly more in BDF compared to control sediments irrespective of flow speed. Comparison with the settlement of polystyrene mimics and freeze-killed larvae led to the conclusion that active selection, active secondary dispersal and, at low flow velocities (5 cm s⁻¹), passive adhesion to the sediment are important mechanisms determining the settlement of M. balthica larvae in estuarine biofilms.     

Microsensor studies of photosynthesis and respiration in the symbiotic foraminifer Orbulina universa

Oxygen and pH microelectrodes were used to investigate the microenvironment of the planktonic foraminifer Orbulina universa and its dinoflagellate endosymbionts. A diffusive boundary layer surrounds the foraminiferal shell and limits the O₂ and proton transport from the shell to the ambient seawater and vice versa. Due to symbiont photosynthesis, high O₂ concentrations of up to 206% air saturation and a pH of up to 8.8, i.e. 0.5 pH units above ambient seawater, were measured at the shell surface of the foraminifer at saturating irradiances. The respiration of the host–symbiont system in darkness decreased the O₂ concentration at the shell surface to <70% of the oxygen content in the surrounding air-saturated water. The pH at the shell surface dropped to 7.9 in darkness. We measured a mean gross photosynthetic rate of 8.5 ± 4.0 nmol O₂ h⁻¹ foraminifer⁻¹. The net photosynthesis averaged 5.3 ± 2.7 nmol O₂ h⁻¹. In the light, the calculated respiration rates reached 3.9 ± 1.9 nmol O₂h⁻¹, whereas the dark respiration rates were significantly lower (1.7 ± 0.7 nmol O₂ h⁻¹). Experimental light–dark cycles demonstrated a very dynamic response of the symbionts to changing light conditions. Gross photosynthesis versus scalar irradiance curves (P vs E _o curves) showed light saturation irradiances (E _k) of 75 and 137 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ in two O. universa specimens, respectively. No inhibition of photosynthesis was observed at irradiance levels up to 700 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. The light compensation point of the symbiotic association was 50 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹. Radial profile measurements of scalar irradiance (E _o) inside the foraminifera showed a slight increase at the shell surface up to 105% of the incident irradiance (E _d). Received: 26 January 1998 / Accepted: 11 April 1998     

Effect of acclimatization to low temperature and reduced light on the response of reef corals to elevated temperature

This study tested the effects of acclimatization on the response of corals to elevated temperature, using juvenile massive Porites spp. and branching P. irregularis from Moorea (W149°50′, S17°30′). During April and May 2006, corals were acclimatized for 15 days to cool (25.7°C) or ambient (27.7°C) temperature, under shaded (352 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) or ambient (554 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) natural light, and then incubated for 7 days at ambient or high temperature (31.1°C), under ambient light (659 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹). The response to acclimatization was assessed as biomass, maximum dark-adapted quantum yield of PSII (F _v/F _m), and growth, and the effect of the subsequent treatment was assessed as F _v/F _m and growth. Relative to the controls (i.e., ambient temperature/ambient light), massive Porites spp. responded to acclimatization through increases in biomass under ambient temperature/shade, and low temperature/ambient light, whereas P. irregularis responded through reduced growth under ambient temperature/shade, and low temperature/ambient light. Acclimatization affected the response to thermal stress for massive Porites spp. (but not P. irregularis), with an interaction between the acclimatization and subsequent treatments for growth. This interaction resulted from a lessening of the negative effects of high temperature after acclimatizing to ambient temperature/shade, but an accentuation of the effect after acclimatizing to low temperature/shade. It is possible that changes in biomass for massive Porites spp. are important in modulating the response to high temperature, with the taxonomic variation in this effect potentially resulting from differences in morphology. These results demonstrate that corals can acclimatize during short exposures to downward excursions in temperature and light, which subsequently affects their response to thermal stress. Moreover, even con-generic taxa differ in this capacity, which could affect coral community structure. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Photosynthetic utilisation of carbon and light by two tropical seagrass species as measured in situ

In situ measurements of seagrass photosynthesis in relation to inorganic carbon (Ci) availability, increased pH and an inhibitor of extracellular carbonic anhydrase were made using an underwater pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. By combining the instrument with a specially designed Perspex chamber, we were able to alter the water surrounding a leaf without removing it from the growing plant. Responses to Ci within the chamber showed that subtidal plants of the seagrasses Cymodocea serrulata and Halophila ovalis had photosynthetic rates that were limited by the ambient Ci concentration depending on the irradiance that was available during short-term photosynthesis–irradiance trials. Relative electron transport rates (RETRs) at light saturation (up to 500 μ mol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) increased by 66–100% when the Ci concentration was increased from ca. 2.2 to 6.2 mM. On the other hand, intertidal plants of the same species exhibited a much lesser limitation of photosynthesis by Ci at any irradiance (up to 1500 μ mol photons m⁻² s⁻¹). Both species were able to use HCO⁻ ₃ efficiently, and there was stronger evidence for direct uptake of HCO⁻ ₃ rather than extracellular dehydration of HCO⁻ ₃ to CO₂ prior to Ci uptake. Subtidally, H. ovalis and C. serrulata grew to 10 and 12 m, respectively, where ambient irradiances were approximately 16 and 11% of those at the surface. Maximum RETRs (at light saturation) were lower for these deep-growing plants than for the intertidally growing ones. For both species, the onset of light saturation of photosynthesis (E _k) occurred at approximately 100 μ mol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ for the deep water populations, which was four and two times lower than for the shallow populations of C. serrulata and H. ovalis, respectively. This, and the differences in maximal photosynthetic rates (RETR _max), reflects an acclimation of the deep-growing populations to the lower light environment. The results presented here show that photosynthesis, as measured in situ, was limited by the availability of Ci for the deeper growing plants in Zanzibar, while the intertidally growing plants photosynthesised at close to Ci saturation. The latter result is contrary to previous conclusions regarding Ci limitations for these intertidal plants, and, in general, our findings highlight the need for performing similar experiments in situ rather than under laboratory conditions. Received: 4 April 2000 / Accepted: 31 August 2000     

Habitat-induced morphological variation influences photosynthesis and drag on the marine macroalga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pachydictyon coriaceum</Emphasis>

Photosynthesis, growth, distribution, and persistence of macroalgae are determined in part by the physical environment in which they live. Therefore, discerning how macroalgae interact with their physical environment is necessary to better understand their physiological performance. The purpose of this study was to examine what photosynthetic and hydrodynamic costs and benefits the morphology of Pachydictyon coriaceum (Phaeophyta) confers on the thallus in a given environment. Principal components analysis of morphometric measurements of Pachydictyon coriaceum from different flow habitats and depths separated thalli into three distinct morphs: shallow wave-exposed, shallow wave-protected, and deep. To test the hypothesis that thallus morphology affects net photosynthesis (NP), thalli of three morphotypes of P. coriaceum were incubated in an enclosed recirculating flume under three simulated light/water flow environments representing conditions from which the three morphotypes were collected. The wave-protected and deep morphs had significantly higher rates of photosynthesis than the wave-exposed morph for all three simulated environments. The dense, compact shape of the wave-exposed morph readily streamlines with flow and in doing so, potentially shades many of its internal blades likely accounting for its lower biomass-specific NP. Drag coefficients (C _d) were estimated for the three morphotypes over a range of flow velocities between 0.08 and 0.47 m s⁻¹. At lower water flow velocities (0.08–0.21 m s⁻¹), wave-exposed morphs had the lowest C _d among the three morphotypes. But drag coefficients of the three morphotypes converged with increasing flow velocities, and at velocities >0.31 m s⁻¹ there were no differences in C _d among the three morphotypes. The results of this study indicate that the environmentally-shaped morphs influence photosynthesis and, to a lesser degree, hydrodynamic forces acting on P. coriaceum.     

In situ seagrass photosynthesis measured using a submersible, pulse-amplitude modulated fluorometer

Assessments of photosynthetic activity in marine plants can now be made in situ using a newly developed, submersible, pulse-amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer: Diving-PAM. PAM fluorometry provides a measure of chlorophyll a fluorescence using rapid-light curves in which the electron-transport rate can be determined for plants exposed to ambient light conditions. This technique was used to compare the photosynthetic responses of seagrasses near Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Several fluorescence parameters were measured as a function of time of day and water depth; electron-transport rate (ETR), quantum yield, photochemical quenching and non-photochemical quenching and Photosystem II (PSII) photochemical efficiency (F _v :F _m ratio) were measured. Results indicate that recent light-history plays a crucial role in seagrass photosynthetic responses. Maximum ETR of Posidonia australis, Amphibolis antarctica and Halophila ovalis is influenced by the irradiance during the diurnal cycle, with low rates at dawn and dusk (<10 μmol electron m⁻² s⁻¹), highest rates in late morning (40 to 60 μmol electron m⁻² s⁻¹) and a mid-day depression. Maximum ETR and PSII photochemical efficiency varied widely between seagrass species and were not correlated. A comparison of photochemical to non-photochemical quenching indicated that seagrasses in shallow water receiving high light have a high capacity for non-photochemical quenching (e.g. light protection) compared to seagrasses in deep water. These results indicate that in situ measurements of photosynthesis will provide new insights into the mechanisms and adaptive responses of marine plants. Received: 26 May 1997 / Accepted: 27 May 1998     

Macroalgal morphology mediates particle capture by the corallimorpharian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Corynactis californica</Emphasis>

The shallow kelp forest at Santa Catalina Island, California (33.45 N, −118.49 W) is distinguished by several canopy guilds ranging from a floating canopy (Macrocystis pyrifera), to a stipitate, erect understory canopy (Eisenia arborea), to a short prostrate canopy just above the substratum (Dictyopteris, Gelidium, Laminaria, Plocamium spp.), followed by algal turfs and encrusting coralline algae. The prostrate macroalgae found beneath E. arborea canopies are primarily branching red algae, while those in open habitats are foliose brown algae. Densities of Corynactis californica, are significantly greater under E. arborea canopies than outside (approximately 1,200 versus 300 polyps m⁻² respectively). Morphological differences in macroalgae between these habitats may affect the rate of C. californica particle capture and serve as a mechanism for determining polyp distribution and abundance. Laboratory experiments in a unidirectional flume under low (9.5 cm s⁻¹) and high (21 cm s⁻¹) flow speeds examined the effect of two morphologically distinct macroalgae on the capture rate of Artemia sp. cysts by C. californica polyps. These experiments (January–March 2006) tested the hypothesis that a foliose macroalga, D. undulata, would inhibit particle capture more than a branching alga, G. robustum. G. robustum, found predominantly under the E. arborea canopy did not affect particle capture. However, D. undulata, found predominantly outside of the canopy, inhibited particle capture rates by 40% by redirecting particles around C. californica polyps and causing contraction of the feeding tentacles. These results suggest that the morphology of flexible marine organisms may affect the distribution and abundance of adjacent passive suspension feeders.     

Photobiology of endolithic microorganisms in living coral skeletons: 1. Pigmentation, spectral reflectance and variable chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of endoliths in the massive corals Cyphastrea serailia, Porites lutea and Goniastrea australensis

We used microscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, pigment analysis, and photosynthesis-irradiance curves measured with variable fluorescence techniques to characterise the endolithic communities of phototrophic microorganisms in the skeleton of three massive corals from a shallow reef flat. Microscopic observations and reflectance spectra showed the presence of up to four distinct bands of photosynthetic microorganisms at different depths within the coral skeleton. Endolithic communities closer to the coral surface exhibited higher photosynthetic electron transport rates and a green zone dominated by Ostreobium quekettii nearest the surface had the greatest chlorophyll pigment concentration. However, Ostreobium was also present and photosynthetically active in the colourless band between the coral tissue and the green band. The spectral properties and pigment density of the endolithic bands were also found to closely correlate to photosynthetic rates as assessed by fluorometry. All endolithic communities were extremely shade-adapted, and photosynthesis was saturated at irradiances <7 μmol photons m⁻²s⁻¹.     

Inter-polyp genetic and physiological characterisation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Symbiodinium</Emphasis> in an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acropora valida</Emphasis> colony

Corals harbouring genetically mixed communities of endosymbiotic algae (Symbiodinium) often show distribution patterns in accordance with differences in light climate across an individual colony. However, the physiology of these genetically characterised communities is not well understood. Single stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses were used to examine the genetic diversity of the Symbiodinium community in hospite across an individual colony of Acropora valida at the spatial scale of single polyps. The physiological characteristics of the polyps were examined prior to sampling with a combined O₂ microelectrode with a fibre-optic microprobe (combined sensor diameter 50–100 μm) enabling simultaneous measurements of O₂ concentration, gross photosynthesis rate and photosystem II (PSII) quantum yield at the coral surface as a function of increasing irradiances. Both sun- and shade-adapted polyps were found to harbour either Symbiodinium clade C types alone or clades A and C simultaneously. Polyps were grouped in two categories according to (1) their orientation towardps light, or (2) their symbiont community composition. Physiological differences were not detected between sun- and shade-adapted polyps, but O₂ concentration at 1,100 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ was higher in polyps that harboured both clades A and C symbionts than in polyps that harboured clade C only. These results suggest that the acclimatisation of zooxanthellae of individual polyps of an A. valida colony to ambient light levels may not be the only determinant of the photosynthetic capacity of zooxanthellae. Here, we found that photosynthetic capacity is also likely to have a strong genetic basis and differs between genetically distinct Symbiodinium types.     

Swimming ability and its rapid decrease at settlement in wrasse larvae (Teleostei: Labridae)

Wrasses are abundant reef fishes and the second most speciose marine fish family, yet little is known of their larval swimming abilities. In August 2010 at Moorea, Society Islands, we measured swimming ability (critical speed, Ucrit) of 80 settlement-stage larvae (11–17 mm) of 5 labrid species (Thalassoma quinquevittatum [n = 67], Novaculichthys taeniourus [n = 6], Coris aygula [n = 5], Halichoeres trimaculatus [n = 1] and H. hortulanus [n = 1]) and 33 new recruits of T. quinquevittatum. Median (mdn) larval Ucrit was 7.6–12.5 cm s⁻¹. In T. quinquevittatum (n = 67), larvae of 12.5–14.5 mm swam faster (mdn 16.9 cm s⁻¹) than smaller or larger larvae (mdn 3.9 and 3.2 cm s⁻¹, respectively). Labrid larvae Ucrit is similar to that of other similar-sized tropical larvae, so labrids and species with comparable settlement sizes should have similar abilities to influence dispersal. Ucrit of T. quinquevittatum recruits decreased to 47–56% of larval Ucrit in 2 days, implying rapid physiological changes at settlement.