Early development of Chondrus ocellatus Holm （Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta）

1 INTRODUCTION Red algae C. ocellatus lives in temperate zone of coastal area, and inhabits at substrates from high tide to low tide regions. Its life history is composed of three phases: tetrasporophyte, gametophyte and carposporophyte. Chondrus is one o…     

Effects of temperature and irradiance on early development of Chondrus ocellatus Holm (Gigartinaceae, Rhodophyta)

Chondrus is a type of commercially produced red seaweed that widely used for food and carrageen extraction. Although the natural life history of the alga had been well understood, the factors influencing development of the tetraspore and carpospore remain poorly understood. In the perspective of seedling resources, the regulation of early development is crucial for the seedling nursing; therefore, it is necessary to understand the physiological influences during its early development. In this study, we studied the effects of temperature and irradiance on the early development of Chondrus ocellatus Holm under laboratory conditions. The released tetraspores and carpospores were cultivated at different temperatures (10–28°C) and irradiances (10, 60 μmol photons m⁻²s⁻¹) with a photoperiod of 12L:12D. The results indicate that both tetraspores and carpospores are tolerant to temperatures of 10–25°C, and have the highest relative growth rate at 20°C. Irradiance variances influenced the growth of the discoid crusts, and the influence was more significant with increasing temperature; 60 μmol photons m⁻²s⁻¹ was more suitable than 10 μmol photons m⁻²s⁻¹. The optimum temperature and irradiance for the development of seedlings was 20°C and 60 μmol photons m⁻²s⁻¹, respectively.     

Formation and early development of tetraspores of Polysiphonia urceolata （Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta）

Polysiphonia urceolata is one type of potential commercial red seaweeds used for breeding and cultivation, because of its significant biochemical and biomedical application. However, the information of breeding and seedling incubation for cultivation is limited, especially the early development. In this study, tetrasporohyte and gametophyte of P. urceolata were taken as the study materials in Huiquan Bay, Qingdao, China. The cleaned and sterilized tetrasporophytes and gametophytes were pre-cultured in sterilized seawater, then nurtured at 18°C, 25 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ in 12:12 h (light:dark) photoperiod. Continuous observation under microscope showed that the early development consists of bipolar division stage and seedling stage. In the division stage, tetraspores germinate into bipolar sporelings that further differentiate into a colorless rhizoidal portion and a lightly pigmented upright shoot. The lightly pigmented rhizoidal cell develops to a rhizoid and the larger pigmented cell transforms to an erect axis. In the seedling stage, several quasi-protuberances appear on the erect axis and form juvenile seedlings. The results demonstrate the culture of P. urceolata from tetraspores under laboratory conditions. Supported by National Key Technology Support Program, Development Program of China (No.2006AA09Z21), National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 40618001 and N_CUHK438/06) and Shandong Agricultural Seed Stock Breeding Project     

Formation and early development of tetraspores of Polysiphonia urceolata (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

Polysiphonia urceolata is one type of potential commercial red seaweeds used for breeding and cultivation, because of its significant biochemical and biomedical application. However, the information of breeding and seedling incubation for cultivation is limited, especially the early development. In this study, tetrasporohyte and gametophyte of P. urceolata were taken as the study materials in Huiquan Bay, Qingdao, China. The cleaned and sterilized tetrasporophytes and gametophytes were pre-cultured in sterilized seawater, then nurtured at 18℃, 25 μmol photons m-2 s-1 in 12:12 h (light:dark) photoperiod. Continuous observation under microscope showed that the early development consists of bipolar division stage and seedling stage. In the division stage, tetraspores germinate into bipolar sporelings that further differentiate into a colorless rhizoidal portion and a lightly pigmented upright shoot. The lightly pigmented rhizoidal cell develops to a rhizoid and the larger pigmented cell transforms to an erect axis. In the seedling stage, several quasi-protuberances appear on the erect axis and form juvenile seedlings. The results demonstrate the culture of P. urceolata from tetraspores under laboratory conditions.     

Alterations to biological soil crusts with alpine meadow retrogressive succession affect seeds germination of three plant species

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are the important components of alpine meadow ecosystems. The extent and morphology of BSCs vary greatly with alpine meadow retrogressive succession due to grazing pressure. There is significant interest in impacts of crust composition on plant seed germination, especially in (semi-) arid environments. However, little is known about the influences of BSCs, and their associations with alpine meadow succession, on germination of typical alpine meadow vascular plant species. In a full factorial common-garden experiment, we studied effects of: (1) crust type, (2) seed position, and (3) surface texture on seed germination. We chose three typical alpine meadow plant species (i.e. Poa pratensis, Tibetia himalaica and Potentillen nivea), which belonged to different functional groups (graminoids, legumes, and forbs) and play important roles in all alpine meadow succession stages. Crust type and seed position influenced seed germination, and the inhibitory effects of BSCs depended on the crust type and seed species tested. The major factors influencing seed germination were BSC type, seed position, soil texture, and the interactions between BSC type and seed position; species and seed position; species and surface texture; and species, crust type, and surface texture. Cyanobacteria crust significantly inhibited germination of all seeds. Seed position also had a significant effect on seed germination (p < 0.001). Fewer seedlings germinated on the surface than below the surface, this was especially true for P. nivea. seeds within cyanobacteria and lichen crusts. Only germination rates of T. himalaica on the soil surface were significantly correlated with plant occurrence frequency within the alpine meadow community. The poor correlation for the other two species is possibly that they are perennials. Our results clearly demonstrated that BSCs can be biological filters during seed germination, depending on the BSC succession stage. Through their influences on seed germination, BSCs can strongly influence community assemblages throughout alpine meadow retrogressive succession.     

New phenomenon in early development of sporelings in Gracilaria asiatica Chang et Xia （Gracilariaceae, Rhodophyta）

1 INTRODUCTION The red alga Gracilaria belongs to Gracilari- aceae, Gigartinales, Florideophyceae, and includes over 100 recorded species, wildly distributing in tropical and temperate regions (Oliveira and Plastino, 1994), and is useful for producing val…     

A Comparative study on the nonspecific immunity of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei ever inhabiting freshwater and seawater

A study on the nonspecific immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei ever inhabiting freshwater and seawater was carried out at different molt stages by comparing their total hemocyte count(THC) and respiratory burst(RB) and activity of phenol oxidase(PO), nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and lysozyme(LY). Two-way ANOVA showed that salinity and molt stage independently affected THC and RB and the activity of PO, NOS and LY of juvenile L. vannamei significantly(P 0.05). The THC and RB and the activity of NOS gradually increased from the post-molt stages(A and B) to the pre-molt stages(D0–D3), which were common in shrimps inhabiting freshwater and seawater. The activity of PO peaked at the inter-molt stage(C), and touched the lowest at the post-molt stage in freshwater and pre-molt stage in seawater. The activity of LY was stable over the molt cycle. The RB and the activity of PO, NOS and LY of juvenile L. vannamei were significantly lower in freshwater than in seawater; whereas THC was significantly higher in freshwater than in seawater(P 0.05). It was concluded that the post-molt stage(especially stage A) was critical to shrimp culture, which should be intensively attended when L. vannamei was cultured in freshwater.     

Composition and Origin of Ferromanganese Crusts from Equatorial Western Pacific Seamounts

In the equatorial western Pacific, iron-manganese oxyhydroxide crusts(Fe-Mn crusts) and nodules form on basaltic seamounts and on the top of drowned carbonate platform guyots that have been swept free of pelagic sediments. To date, the Fe-Mn crusts have been considered to be almost exclusively of abiotic origin. However, it has recently been suggested that these crusts may be a result of biomineralization. Although the Fe-Mn crust textures in the equatorial western Pacific are similar to those constructed by bacteria and algae, and biomarkers also document the existence of bacteria and algae dispersed within the Fe-Mn crusts, the precipitation, accumulation and distribution of elements, such as Fe, Mn, Ni and Co in Fe-Mn crusts are not controlled by microbial activity. Bacteria and algae are only physically incorporated into the crusts when dead plankton settle on the ocean floor and are trapped on the crust surface. Geochemical evidence suggests a hydrogenous origin of Fe-Mn crusts in the equatorial western Pacific, thus verifying a process for Fe-Mn crusts that involves the precipitation of colloidal phases from seawater followed by extensive scavenging of dissolved trace metals into the mineral phase during crust formation.     

Study on tissue culture forGelidium seedling

As seedling culture is a crucial factor for successful cultivation ofGelidium, the authors researched tissue culture technology for producing seedlings. The morphogeny and experimental ecology were observed and studied fully in 2–5 mm isolated tissue fragments. Regeneration, appearance of branching creepers and attaching structure and new erect seedlings production and development were studied. Fragments were sown on bamboo slice and vinylon rope. The seedlings were cultured 20–30 days indoor, then cultured in the sea, where the density of erect seedlings was 3–19 seedlings/cm², growth rate was 3.84% day. The frond arising from seedlings directly was up to 10 cm per year. The ecological conditions for regenerated seedlings are similar to the natural ones. The regenerated seedlings are suitable for raft culture in various sea areas.     

Comparison of the respiratory metabolism of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei cultured in seawater and freshwater

Litopenaeus vannamei, a euryhaline species, can be cultured at a wide range of salinities. The emergence of freshwater pond-culture of L. vannamei is an important prelude to the continued development of shrimp culture in China. In this study, we compared the respiratory metabolism of juvenile L. vannamei cultured in freshwater and saltwater by measuring their oxygen consumption rate (OCR), ammonium-type nitrogen excretion rate (AER) and pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities at different molting stages in order to physiecologically characterize juvenile L. vannamei under freshwater conditions. The results showed that OCR was significantly higher in saltwater than in freshwater at all stages of molting cycle. However, variation of OCR among molting stages in saltwater was similar with that in freshwater, and the highest OCR was observed at post-molting stage. At all stages of molting cycle, AER was significantly higher in freshwater than in saltwater, and the highest was observed at post-molting stage. The activity of PK was significantly higher in saltwater than in freshwater. Conversely, the activity of LDH was higher in freshwater than in saltwater in general. Significant variation of PK and LDH activities in molting cycle was observed in saltwater and freshwater. The results indicated that aerobic metabolism of juvenile L. vannamei was more active in saltwater than in freshwater; while its protein metabolism was more active in freshwater than in saltwater.     

宝鸡黄土中的风化壳

根据野外调查,在宝鸡黄土中确定了五个时期的风化壳,它们分别为第1～5层古土壤与其下的风化黄土构成。根据X-射线衍射得知,这些风化壳为水云母和绿泥石等构成的粘土型风化壳。CaCO_3淀积深度和Fe_2O_3、Al_2O_3迁移特征表明第1和3～5层古土壤与其下黄土构成的风化壳发育时处于酸性风化阶段,当时年平均降水量在900mm以上;第2层古土壤与其下风化黄土构成的风化壳发育时处于中性风化阶段,当时年平均降水量为800mm左右。     

鲁东地区早前寒武纪花岗岩类演化及大陆地壳生长

通过对太古宙和古元古代花岗岩成分判别分析,提出了鲁东地区早前寒武纪花岗岩类可能分为3期,第一期为中太古代TTG组合,发育不完全;第二期为新太古代T1T2G1组合,具有贫K2O的奥长花岗岩演化趋势;第三期为古元古代早期G2组合,仅具富K2O的钙碱性演化趋势。探讨了不同组合花岗岩的形成环境,新太古代T1T2G1组合为岛弧环境,古元古代早期为大陆碰撞环境;不同的花岗岩类岩石组合分别对应的陆壳成熟度为:T1T2G1组合为新生的初始不成熟陆壳,G2组合则为最终的成熟陆壳。鲁东早前寒武纪花岗岩类随时间从新太古代至古元古代早期的演化,记录了鲁东大陆地壳形成的完整的地质演化过程。     

汞离子对细基江蓠孢子萌发和生长的影响

研究了4种Hg2+浓度对细基江蓠果孢子和四分孢子附着、萌发和生长的影响。结果表明:与对照组相比,Hg2+抑制了果孢子附着却促进了四分孢子的附着,但0.0025 mg/L浓度与对照组的差异不显著(P>0.05),各浓度间差异显著(P<0.05);Hg2+在实验浓度范围内(0.0025、0.0050、0.0075、0.0100 mg/L)影响了孢子的正常萌发,使孢子不能正常分裂和生长,刺激了孢子脱落,并且使盘状体的形态发生变异;`Hg2+不同浓度之间也存在显著差异(P<0.05),并且Hg2+浓度越高对孢子的萌发和生长影响越大。     

Influence of albumen on aggregation and O<Subscript>2</Subscript> evolution of protoplasm from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bryopsis hypnoides</Emphasis> Lamourou

The extruded protoplasm from the coenocytic green alga, Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux, was able to reform a cell wall and develop further into a mature alga in seawater. In this paper, the influence of albumen on the ability of aggregation and on the photosynthesis of protoplasm was examined. Results show that the protoplasm of B. hypnoides could aggregate in either albumen or chicken egg, which is similar to that in seawater. However unlike in seawater, the aggregation from B. hypnoides in albumen and chicken egg failed to develop into a mature individual. Interestingly, the protoplasm of B. hypnoides could maintain its photosynthetic O2 evolution in albumen and chicken egg, while the time in chicken egg was longer than that in albumen.     

Improvement of the zygote utilization and reduction of the seedling loss in the early stage of seedling production of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sargassum thunbergii</Emphasis> (Fucales,Phaeophyta)

Artificial seedling production of Sargassum thunbergii is an effective way to relieve pressure on natural resources. In order to improve the utilization of zygotes and reduce the loss of seedlings, studies on the characteristic of the zygotes release, the development of rhizoids, the attachment of germlings, and the influence of jet washing were conducted. Results show that the percent of zygotes released was increased with time in the first 60 h. The capacity of germlings attached to the substratum was significantly increased, especially coincident with the time of the new rhizoids emerged and elongated. The detachment rate of germlings significantly decreased with the delay of starting time of jet washing or the reduction of jet washing velocity. However, the jet washing at any level applied in the experiment could cause considerable loss of germlings within the 20 days after the attachment. Our study provided some parameters to optimize the operation in the early stage of seedling production.     

Effect of UV-B irradiation on interspecific competition between Ulva pertusa and Grateloupia filicina

We report the effect of UV-B irradiation (9.6 kJ m^?2 day^?1) on interspecific competition between two species of macroalgae, Ulva pertusa (U) and Grateloupia filicina (G), in co-culture. Growth of U. pertusa and G. filicina was inhibited by UV-B irradiation in mono-culture and specific growth rate (μ) declined as a result. Interspecific competition between U. pertusa and G. filicina was closely related to the initial weights when co-cultured. When initial ratios of U. pertusa (U) to G. filicina (G) were U:G=1.2:1 and 1:1, U. pertusa was the dominant algae. When the initial U:G ratio was 1:1.2, G. filicina was competitively dominant in the earlier stage, but U. pertusa grew faster, superseding G. filicina in the later stage. At initial ration U:G = 1:1.4, G. filicina was predominant. Under UV-B irradiation, the competitive ability of G. filicina was weakened and the interspecific competitive balance favored U. pertusa, which suggests that G. filicina was more sensitive to UV-B irradiation. We also probed the potential allelopathic effects between the two species, which led to mutual growth inhibition.     

Inbreeding depression on growth and survival of full-sib family of Manila clam (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ruditapes philippinarum</Emphasis>)

In present study, the inbreeding depression (ID) of growth and survival of Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) was investigated at larval and juvenile stages. Nine inbred families (A ₂, B ₂, C ₂, D ₂, E ₂, F ₂, G ₂, H ₂ and I ₂) were established by mating within nine full-sib families with expected inbreeding coefficient of 0.25. Inbred families showed significant differences in shell length and hatching rate of D-larvae (straight-hinged larvae). The larvae of the nine inbred families grew slower than those of control group (CG), and their ID value ranged from 0.81% ± 6.09% to 16.10% ± 1.49%. The ID value of larval survival rate varied between 27.47% ± 9.36% and 70.50% ± 13.66%. The ID was also detected for juvenile growth in A ₂, B ₂, C ₂, and D ₂, which ranged from 4.60 ± 2.21 to 17.71 ± 7.73. The A ₂ family maintained the highest juvenile survival rate, whereas the other inbred families exhibited ID values varying between 62.79% ± 4.54% and 96.14% ± 0.87%. The linear relationship of estimated ID between growth and survival was negatively correlated (R = ?0.434, P < 0.05). The results of this study suggested that the ID of growth was common at the larval stage but was less prevalent at juvenile stage. In contrast, the ID of survival increased from larval to juvenile stage. A better understanding of the effect of inbreeding may aid to selective breeding of Manila clam.     

Early development of Costaria costata (C. Agardh) Saunders and cultivation trials

Costaria costata (C. Agardh) Saunders is one of common kelps distributed in many coastal areas worldwide; however, in China, no reports have been made on cultivation of the genus. To investigate potential cultivation of the species in the northern part of China, trials on isolation and preservation of the gametophytes were conducted using C. costata from Korea; growth and development of the gametophytes were observed. We showed that at 10±1°C, 60 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ and 12:12 h (L:D), freshly released zoospores settled down within 1 hour, and then developed into the primary cell during the following 2 days. After a vegetative growth phase lasting 6–8 days, female gametophytes became 3–4 times larger in diameter than that of the primary cell, but still remained at a unicellular stage, while male gametophytes divided into 4–10 cells with only a slight change in size. Fertilization occurred within 10 days after the zoospores were released from the sporangia, and the apical and basal tissues of the juvenile sporophyte divided and differentiated into the blade and stipe. Temperature and irradiance influenced gametophytic vegetative growth and developmental patterns. Generally, low irradiance (15 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹ and 30 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹) was unfavorable to the induction of fertility, but it enhanced female gametophyte division. The optimal conditions for vegetative growth were 15°C and 30 μmol m⁻²s⁻¹. After transplantation of the juvenile seedlings and after eight months cultivation, the harvested mature blade reached 194 cm in length and 32.7 cm in width. Our study proves that it is feasible to implement propagation and large scale cultivation of C. costata in northern China.     

Impact of brine acidification on hatchability,survival and reproduction of Artemia parthenogenetica and Artemia franciscana in salt ponds,Bohai Bay,China

We studied the effect of pH(pH 5, 6, 7 and 8) on the hatching percentage, survival and reproduction of Artemia strains in Bohai Bay salt ponds. Strains included parthenogenetic Artemia from Bohai Bay(BHB), Artemia franciscana from San Francisco Bay, and A. franciscana artifi cially produced in salt ponds in Vietnam. The latter was included as a potential inoculum for biological management of salt ponds. The hatching percentage of cysts after 24 h and the survival rate of the tested Artemia strains were signifi cantly reduced when exposed to a culture medium at pH 5 for 18 d( P 0.05). The tolerance of Artemia to 48 h acid exposure varied with developmental stage, increasing in the following order: juvenile, nauplii, pre-adult, with maximum tolerance in adults. All strains of Artemia tested could not reproduce at pH 5. At pH levels from pH 6–8, a higher pH generally resulted in a shorter brood interval and enhanced ovoviviparity. Hence, we suggest that brine acidifi cation has a negative impact on Artemia populations in the Bohai Bay saltworks. Inoculation of Artemia with either local parthenogenetic Artemia or exotic A. franciscana should be feasible at pH 7–8.     

Production of dimethylsulfide and acrylic acid from dimethylsulfoniopropionate during growth of three marine microalgae

We measured the concentrations of dimethylsulfide （DMS）, acrylic acid （AA）, and dimethylsulfoniopropionate （DMSP） during growth of three microalgae： Prorocentrum micans, Gephyrocapsa oceanica, and Platymonas subcordiformis. The DMSP, AA, and DMS concentrations in culture media varied significantly among algal growth stages, with the highest concentrations in the late stationary growth stage or the senescent stage. In the stationary growth stage, the average DMSP concentration per cell in P. micans （0.066 5 pmol/cell） was 1.3 times that in G. oceanica （0.049 5 pmol/ cell） and 20.2 times that in P. subcordiformis （0.003 29 pmol/cell）. The average concentrations of AA were 0.044 6, 0.026 9, and 0.003 05 pmol/cell in P. micans, G. oceanica, and P. subcordiformis, respectively, higher than the concentrations of DMS （0.272, 0.497, and 0.086 2 fmol/cell, respectively）. There were significant positive correlations between cell density and AA, DMSP, and DMS concentrations. The ratios of DMS/AA and AA/（DMSP＋AA） in the three algae differed significantly over the growth cycle. In all three microalgae, the DMS/AA ratios were less than 25% during the growth period, suggesting that the enzymatic cleavage pathway, which generates DMS, was not the main DMSP degradation pathway. The changes in the DMS/AA ratio indicated that there was a higher rate of enzymatic breakdown of DMSP in the early growth period and a lower rate during senescence. In all three microalgae, the AA/（DMSP＋AA） ratio （degradation ratio of DMSP） decreased during the exponential growth phase, and then increased. The variations in these ratios can approximately indicate the cleavage mechanism of DMSP at different stages of algal growth.