Optimization of conditions for tetraspore release and assessment of photosynthetic activities for different generation branches of Gracilaria lemaneiformis Bory

Gracilaria lemaneiformis Bory is an economically important alga that is primarily used for agar production. Although tetraspores are ideal seeds for the cultivation of G. lemaneiformis, the most popular culture method is currently based on vegetative fragments, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. In this study, we optimized the conditions for tetraspore release and evaluated the photosynthetic activities of different colonies formed from the branches of G. lemaneiformis using a PAM (pulse-amplitude-modulated) measuring system. The results showed that variations in temperature and salinityhad significant effects on tetraspore yield. However, variations in the photon flux density (from 15 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ to 480 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) had no apparent effect on tetraspore yield. Moreover, the PAM-parameters Y(I), Y(II), ETR(I), ETR(II) and F _v/F _m of colonies formed from different branches showed the same trend: parameter values of first generation branches>second generation branches>third generation branches. These results suggest that the photosynthetic activities of different colonies of branches changed with the same trend. Furthermore, photosynthesis in G. lemaneiformis was found to be involved in vegetative reproduction and tetraspore formation. Finally, the first generation branches grew slowly, but accumulated organic compounds to form large numbers of tetraspores. Taken together, these results showed that the first generation branches are ideal materials for the release of tetraspores.     

A Taxonomic Study of the Genus Tinocladia （Chordariales,Phaeophyta） in China Coasts I. Two new species, T. eudesmoides sp.nov, and T. zhangii sp.nov.

Two new species of the genusTinocladia Kylin (1940)T. eudesmoides Ding et Lu sp. nov. andTinocladia zhangii Ding et Lu sp. nov., are described.T. eudesmoides is mainly characterized by its longitudinally and transversely produced sub-cortical filaments from the medulla, its short uniseriate assimilating filaments, usually composed of 6–10 cells with slightly swollen and narrow ultimate cells, and its unilocular sporangia (60–115)×55–70μm, variable in size.T. zhangii is mainly characterized by its very solid frond, not rip apart by hands, its evident longer primary branches, its short and slender secondary branches, with very evident sub-cortical layer, and filaments divided repeatedly, and its large and small unilocular sporangia, with the latter borne on an evidently swollen pedicel. Project B80981816 supported by the NSFC. Contribution No. 4443 from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China.     

Hypoglossum fujianensis sp. nov. (Delesseriaceae, Rhodophyta) from Fujian Coast, China

Hypoglossum fujianensis sp. nov. is an epiphytic alga in the intertidal zone. Plants are light red, 0.9–2 cm high. Margin of branches gives rise to uniseriate hair-like rhizoids, formed outward from the fusion of the second-and third-order cells. Blades are single layered (except the midrib) and uncorticated. Tetrasporangial sori are formed on the middle part of blades. The globular tetrasporangia are developed from lateral pericentral cells. Project 39391800 supported by the NSFC.     

Induction and cultivation of cloned filaments of Polysiphonia urceolata (Rhodomelaceae, Rhodophyta)

A filamentous clone of Polysiphonia urceolata was regenerated from segments cut from the fronds of gametophytes. Unlike wild thalli with short virgate branchlets, the clone was filamentous with few branches. Many transparent trichoblasts arose from pericentral cells during the induction culture, but these were seldom observed during normal growth. The trichoblasts were uniseriate, often colorless, and formed lobed rhizoids rapidly when they came into contact with solid substrates. In addition to morphological characteristics, the photosynthetic properties and growth conditions of the clone differed from those of the mother plant. Cross-gradient light and temperature culture experiments revealed that the most favorable conditions for culture of the filamentous clone were 22°C and 95-120 μE/(m2-s) light intensity. The photosynthetic light saturation value for filaments was approx. 100 μE/(m2-s), which is far lower than that of wild thalli. These results could be used to develop techniques for mass cultures of P. urceolata in photobioreactors for production of seed stock or bioactive products.     

Three new species of Batrachospermum Roth （Batrachospermaceae, Rhodophyta） in China

Three new species of Batrachospermum Roth (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) from China are described in this paper. B. yunnanense sp. nov. has long-cylindrical trichogynes with long stalks and is diagnostic of section Virescentia. Within this section, B. yunnanense is similar to B. helminthosum Bory emend. Sheath et al., but it is dioecious and has curved carpogonial branches, while the latter is monoecious and has straight carpogonial branches. It is also similar to B. transtaganum Reis, but it differs from the latter in long carpogonia,big carposporophytes and carposporangia. It is considered that B. nothocladoideum sp. nov. is assigned to section Contorta, subsection Kushiroense, because its carpogonial branches are twisted and gonimoblast filaments are loosely agglomerated. This new species similar to B. iriomotense Kumano, but with short fascicles, long-ovoid or subpyriform cells, numerous terminal hairs, long-ellipsoid trichogynes, big carposporophytes and small carposporangia. The plant is quite tough and cartilaginous and similar to Nothocladus in gross morphology, but its carposporophytes are compact instead of diffuse. This shows that it may be a transitional species between section Contorta and genus Nothocladus. So, B. transitorium sp. nov. should belong to section Contorta, subsection Kushiroense, because of its curved or twisted carpogonial branches and loosely agglomerated gonimoblast filaments, with globose or subglobose cells in fascicles similar to B. spermatiophorum Vis et Sheath, but no colourless spermatiophores. In terms of small and numerous carposporophytes, B. transitorium sp. nov. is similar to some species of section Batrachospermum. However, their other features are unique, indicating its transitional nature between section Contorta and Batrachospermum.     

Impact of microzooplankton and Calanus sinicus (Brodsky, 1962) on phytoplankton in the Yellow Sea during early summer

Dilution incubations and Calanus sinicus addition incubations were simultaneously conducted at five stations in the Yellow Sea in June of 2004 to evaluate the impact of microzooplankton and Calanus sinicus on phytoplankton based on the Chlorophyll a (Chl-a) levels. The Chl-a growth rates (k) ranged from 0.60–1.67 d⁻¹, while microzooplankton grazed the Chl-a at rates (g) of 0.29–0.62 d^t-1. The addition of C. sinicus enhanced the Chl-a growth rate (Z) by 0.004–0.037 d⁻¹ ind.⁻¹ L. C. sinicus abundance ranged from 84.1–160.9 ind. m⁻³, which occupied 90.7%–99.1% of the copepod (>500 μm) population. The in-situ increase in phytoplankton by C. sinicus community was estimated to be 0.000 4–0.005 9 d⁻¹. These results showed that microzooplankton were the main grazers of phytoplankton, while C. sinicus induced a slight increase in the levels of phytoplankton.     

Comparative studies on structural feature of agar polysaccharides fromPorphyra haitanensis grown in south and north China

The structural feature of agar polysaccharides fromPorphyra haitanensis grown in south China and transplanted to the north was investigated by fractionation on DEAE—Sephadex A 50, chemical analysis, and infrared and¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The agars composed mainly of charged molecules were eluted from DEAE—Sephadex A 50 with 1.0 mol/L NaCl solution from the southernP. haitanensis and with 0.5 mol/L NaCl from the northern one. The¹³C-NMR spectra showed that agarobiose [(1→3)-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-3,6-anhydro-α-L-galactopyranose] and the biological precursor of agarobiose [(1→3)-β-D-galactopyra nosyl-(1→4)-6-sulfate-α-L-galactopyranose] were the major disaccharide repeating units in the charged fractions. The content of the biological precursor in the agar polysaccharides from southernP. haitanensis was higher than that in the northern one, the content of the biological precursor extracted from cold water was higher than that from hot water, and the content of 6-OMe-D-galactose in the southernP. haitanensis polysaccharides was higher than in the northern one. This distinct difference will be of significance for further study of the physiological characters ofP. haitanensis. Contribution No. 1849 from the Institute of Oceanology, Academia Sinica.     

Proteocephalus sinocyclocheili n. sp. (Cestoda: Proteocephalidae) in a fishSinocyclocheilus grahami tingi Fang from Yunnan, China

A new species ofProteocephalus from the fishSinocyclocheilus grahami tingi, a subspecies endemic to Fuxian Lake in Southwest China,is described. This is the first report of cestode from this host. The new species differs fromP. exiguus, P. Longicollis, P. parasiluri andP. torulosus, the only other species ofProteocephalus currently reported from China, by lacking an apical sucker, fromP. exiguus by having 45–108 rather than 24–54 testes per proglottis, and a maximum of 15 rather than 28 uterine diverticula; fromP.longicollis by having an average of 45–108 rather than 75–115 testes per proglottis and testes being in a single layer instead of 2 layers; and fromP. torulosus by having 45–108 instead of 150 testes per proglottis and testes being in 3–4 layers; and fromP. parasiluri by having 45–108 rather than 180 testes per proglottis. It resemblesP. percae, P. pollanicola, andP. thymalli in number of testes and uterine diverticula, but differs by lacking an apical sucker.Proteocephalus thymalli, like the new species, has a vagina that opens dorsally to the cirrus sac, butP. thymalli slao has postovarian testes, which the new species lacks. The possible significance of parasitological examinations of the other two subspecies ofS. grahami in two lakes close to Fuxian Lake is discussed in relation to host speciation and coevolution of the host-parasite system.     

Contents of carbohydrates and lipids in the bodies of two planktonic crustaceans

The carbohydrate and lipid contents in two planktonic crustaceans, i. e.Pseudeuphausia sinica andAcetes chinensis sampled from Xiamen coastal waters were estimated. InP. sinica, the contents of carbohydrates (in dry weight) and lipids varied from 2.19–2.33% and 21.2–21.9% respectively; inA. chinensis from 1.74–2.55% and 14.43–15.10% respectively. The analyses of fatty acids by gas-chromatograph (Model 103) showed that eight fatty acids of 14∶0, 15∶0, 16∶0, 17∶0, 18∶0, 18∶2, 20∶2 and 22∶2 were found in these two animals, that 16∶0, 18∶0, 18∶2, and 20∶2 formed the major constituents with 91.08% (P. sinica) and 74.80% (A. chinensis) of the total fatty acids, and that the values of odd carbon types (15∶0 and 17∶0) were fairly low, 4.47% and 3.36% respectively. Three monosaccharides: glucose, fructose, and galactose detected by high-liquid chromatograph (Waters 208) accounted for more than 60% of the total carbohydrates, especially the glucose, exceeding by 40%.     

Purification and characterization of novel κ-carrageenase from marine Tamlana sp. HC4

We isolated a bacterial strain (HC4) that is able to degrade κ-carrageenan from a live specimen of the red alga Hyalosiphonia caespitosa. With 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we identified the strain as Tamlana sp., and then purified an extracellular κ-carrageenase from a culture of Tamlana sp. HC4 by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography, and DE-cellulose 52 anion-exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme yields a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 66.4 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature for κ-carrageenase activity are at 8.0 and 30°C, respectively. The enzyme is stable over the range of pH 7.2–8.6 below 45°C. The enzyme activity is strongly inhibited by Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ at 1 mmol/L. The enzyme-catalyzed reaction follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics with the Michaelis constant (K _m ) at 7.63 mg/ml. Analysis of the degradation products of the κ-carrageenase by ESI-MS and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy indicates that the enzyme degrades κ-carrageenan down to the level of κ-neocarrabiose sulfate.     

Main nutritional contents of 30 Dalian coastal microalgae species

This paper reports results of study on the contents of proteins, amino acids, polysaccharose and uronic acids in 30 species of macroalgae from Shicao, Heishijiao, Shimiao, and Xiaofujiazhuang in the vicinity of Dalian City, N.E.China. The results showed that the protein contents of the 30 algae from highest (112.55μg/ml) to the lowest (0.24 p.g/ml) was in the descending order of Dictyopteris ndalata, Gelidium vagum,Gymnogongrus japonican, Ectocarpus confervoides, Tinocladia crassa, Sargassum thunberii. In general, the protein content in red algae was higher than that in brown algae. The content of free ami no acids showed nosignificent differences from 7.44μg/ml-4.96μg/ml in all these algae, in the descending order of Gymnogongrusrus japonican, Sargassum confusum, Undoria pinnatifida, Laminaria japonica and Ectocarpus confervoides. The content of polysaccharose varied from 168.2 gg/ml-22.15 p.g/ml in the descending order of Symphyocladiaia tiuscula, Scytosiphon lomentarius, Desmarestia viridis., Tinocladia crassa, Gracilaria asiatica and Porphyra yezoensis. The content of uronic acids is from 196.24μg/ml-20.77μg/ml in the descending order of Ulva lactuca,Symphyoclaldia latiuscula, Scytosiphon lomentarius, Ceramimum kondoi, Gracilaria vemucosa and Porphyra yezoensis. The fatty acids in 30 species of algae belong to Rhodophyta, Chlorophyta and Phaeophyta. Most phaeophytes have many (4-12) types of fatty acids.     

Chemical constituents of marine medicinal mangrove plant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sonneratia caseolaris</Emphasis>

Twenty-four compounds including eight steroids (1–8), nine triterpenoids (9–16, 24), three flavonoids (20–22), and four benzenecarboxylic derivatives (17–19, 23) were isolated and identified from stems and twigs of medicinal mangrove plant Sonneratia caseolaris. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data. Among these metabolites, compounds 1, 4–20 and 22–24 were isolated and identified for the first time from S. caseolaris. In the in vitro cytotoxic assay against SMMC-7721 human hepatoma cells, compound 21 (3′,4′,5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone) exhibited significant activity with IC₅₀ 2.8 μg/mL, while oleanolic acid (14), 3,3′-di-O-methyl ether ellagic acid (18), and 3,3′,4-O-tri-O-methyl ether ellagic acid (19) showed weak activity. None of these compounds displayed significant antibacterial activites. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30770234); Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (KZCX2-YW-211-04); Department of Science and Technology of Shandong Province (No.2006GG2205023)     

Determination of copper complexation in surface microlayer of Daya Bay and Jiaozhou Bay

1 INTRODUCTION Bioavailability to the biota and the biogeo-chemistry of trace metals in marine environment areaffected by their chemical speciation in the naturalsystem (Bruland et al., 1991; Van den Berg andDonat, 1992; Wells et al., 1998). Therefore, thesetwo parameters, the ligands concentrations andconditional stability constants, are important todetermine the complexing capacity. Sea surface microlayer (SML), the thin interfa-cial boundary between ocean and atmosphere, playsan imp…     

ORGANIC GEOCHEMISTRY MARKERSOF CLIMATIC EVOLUTION IN LOESSREGION OF CHINA

Two hundred and thirty-five samples collected from Weinan loess section (L₂ – S₀) have been analyzed by TOC (total organic carbon) and pyrolysis hydrocarbons. The curve of TOC with depth has been set up and compared well with other climatic markers. The main periods of TOC variation of the last 0.14 Ma are 67.08 ka and 18.29 ka, which is near with the periods of the variation of sunshine, showing that the TOC variation may be controlled by the variation of 65°N sun-shine. The distribution of pyrolysis hydrocarbon and its parameters shows that there are two kinds of hydrocarbon associated with climatic change. One is called hydrocarbon pyrolysted directly from organism (pHC_2–1) which is in the range of T _max350°C – 500°C, and associated with atmospheric water. The other is called carbonate inclusion hydrocarbon (pHC_2–2) which is in the range of T _max 500°C – 600°C and formed by evaporation and associated with dry climate. The formula calculating humidity has been deduced Og=pHC_2–1/(pHC_2–1 + pHC_2–2). The range of humidity of the section is 47% – 77% and the reducing order is S_1–3, S_1–2, S₀, S_1–1, S_1–4, S_1–1, L_1–1, L_1–3, and L_1–5. And the trend of the humidity is still increasing today.     

Variation in downwelling diffuse attenuation coefficient in the northern South China Sea

The diffuse attenuation coefficient for downwelling irradiance （Kd（λ）） is an important parameter for ocean studies. Based on the optical profile data measured during three cruises in the northern South China Sea in autumn from 2003 to 2005, variations in the Kd（λ） spectra were analyzed. The variability of Kd（λ） shows much distinct features in both magnitude and spectra pattern, it is much higher in coastal waters than that of open oceanic waters; and the blue-to-green （443/555） ratio of Kd（λ） tends to increase with chlorophyll a concentration （[Chl-a]） from open ocean to coastal waters. These characteristics can be explained most by the increase of aw＋p（443）/aw＋p（555） with [Chl-a]. In short waveband, the relation between Kd（λ）-Kw（λ） and [Chl-a] can be well described by a power law function, indicating the large contribution of phytoplankton to the variations in Kd（λ）. As for the spectral model of the diffuse attenuation coefficient, there are good linear relationships between Kd（490） and Kd（λ） in other wavelengths with own slope and intercept of a linear functions in the spectral range 412-555 nm. Kd（490） is well correlated with the spectral ratio of remote sensing reflectance; and should enough measurement data are given, this empirical algorithm would be used in the Kd（λ） retrieval from ocean color satellite data. The variation in Kd（λ） provides much useful information for us to study the bio-optical property in the northern South China Sea.     

Effect of n?3 HUFA levels in rotifers and Artemia on growth and survival of larval black sea bream ( Sparus macrocephalus )

Requirement for dietary n−3 HUFA (n−3 highly unsaturated fatty acid) for growth and survival of black sea bream (Sparus macrocephalus) larvae was studied using rotifers andArtemia at various levels of n−3 HUFA. Five treatments with rotifers andArtemia differing in n−3 HUFA were prepared by enriching them with various oil emulsions. Results indicated that dietary n−3 HUFA significantly influence fish n−3 HUFA levels and are essential for growth and survival of black sea bream larvae. The results also indicated that the incorporation of n−3HUFA TG (triacylglycerols) into tissues of larval black sea bream was more effective from natural fish oil in comparison with n−3 HUFA fatty acid ethyl esters from ethyl-esterified oil. Project No. 39770588 supported by the NSFC.     

Effect of artificial regulations ofArtemia n−3 HUFA content on growth and survival of black seabream (Sparus macrocephalus) larvae

The requirement for dietary n−3 HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acid) for growth and survival of black seabream (Sparus macrocephalus) larvae was tested usingArtemia with various levels of n−3 HUFA. Four treatments withArtemia differing in their n−3 HUFA were prepared by feeding them various oil emulsions. The results indicated that dietary n−3 HUFA significantly influences fish n−3 HUFA levels and are necessary for good growth and survival of black seabream larvae. The proper value of n−3 HUFA level and DHA, EPA level inArtemia should be 4.273% and 0.873% (wet weight) for good growth and survival in black seabream larvae respectively. Contribution No. 3044 from the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Project 39470562 supported by NSFC.     

Two new species of the genusDorylaimopsis Ditlevsen, 1918 (Nematoda: Adenophora,Comesomatidae) from the Bohai Sea,China

Two nematode species of the genusDorylaimopsis (Family Comesometidae) from the Bohai Sea are described.Dorylaimopsis rabalaisi n. sp. similar toD. punctata Ditlevsen, 1918 from which it can be separated by the small size, short and simple spicules without ventral apophyses or joint line.Dorylaimopsis turneri n. sp. differs from the closest speciesDorylaimopsis angelae (Inglis, 1967) by its higher values of de Man ratio ‘a’, much shorter spicules and higher ratio of gubernacular to spicules length. A key to species of the genus based on the key by Jensen (1979) is given. This project was supported by the National Science Foundation, No: 3860804     

THE DENSITIES OF CHANGJIANG ESTUARINE WATERS

The International Eq一lation of State of Seawater,1980 and the PraeticalSalinity Scale,1978 have been adoPted by theUNESCO江CES沼COR八APSOJoint Panel ono‘eanogral,hie Tables and Standards(JPOTS),and endorsed bythese organizati6ns(Miller‘〕and Poisson,1981;Uneseo,1981).Th已new equa-tion and the Praetieal Salinity Seale are to be used for all values Published fromJan .1,1982 .The new equation 15 aeeurate for use in all oeeanie surfaee waters,but eannot be aeeurately aPPlied to…