Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia

Epiphytism in Gracilaria is a common phenomena observed in natural populations and under culture conditions. Generally, epiphytes are attached superficially to the surface of the host however, genera such as Polysiphonia spp. and Ceramium spp. can penetrate into the host tissue affecting its growth...

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Main Authors: Munoz, Julieta, Fotedar, Ravi
Format: Journal Article
Published: Springer 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/8354
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author Munoz, Julieta
Fotedar, Ravi
author_facet Munoz, Julieta
Fotedar, Ravi
author_sort Munoz, Julieta
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Epiphytism in Gracilaria is a common phenomena observed in natural populations and under culture conditions. Generally, epiphytes are attached superficially to the surface of the host however, genera such as Polysiphonia spp. and Ceramium spp. can penetrate into the host tissue affecting its growth and hence productivity. The present paper aims to identify and quantify epiphyte abundance and characterise their attachment and penetration on the natural populations of Gracilaria cliftonii collected from Shoalwater Marine Park, Perth, Western Australia. G. cliftonii samples were collected monthly for 1 year and their epiphytes were identified. Histological studies of G. cliftonii were also performed on epiphyte attachment sites. Twenty-four species of macroalgae epiphytes were recorded, 21 belonging to Rhodophyta and 3 to Chlorophyta. Hypnea episcopalis and Polysiphonia forfex were the dominant (p<0.05) species during the sampling period. The maximum epiphytic load was observed in October (40%), however, the maximum diversity of epiphytes was recorded in September and February (n=14). Light and scanning electron microscopy studies of the epiphyte attachment sites revealed that P.forfex and Ceramium isogonum penetrated into the cortex and outer medulla of G. cliftonii, while Bryopsis plumosa and Laurencia clavata altered the cellular structure of the cell wall of G. cliftonii.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-83542017-09-13T16:01:43Z Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia Munoz, Julieta Fotedar, Ravi Epiphytic load Penetration Epiphytes Gracilaria Epiphytism in Gracilaria is a common phenomena observed in natural populations and under culture conditions. Generally, epiphytes are attached superficially to the surface of the host however, genera such as Polysiphonia spp. and Ceramium spp. can penetrate into the host tissue affecting its growth and hence productivity. The present paper aims to identify and quantify epiphyte abundance and characterise their attachment and penetration on the natural populations of Gracilaria cliftonii collected from Shoalwater Marine Park, Perth, Western Australia. G. cliftonii samples were collected monthly for 1 year and their epiphytes were identified. Histological studies of G. cliftonii were also performed on epiphyte attachment sites. Twenty-four species of macroalgae epiphytes were recorded, 21 belonging to Rhodophyta and 3 to Chlorophyta. Hypnea episcopalis and Polysiphonia forfex were the dominant (p<0.05) species during the sampling period. The maximum epiphytic load was observed in October (40%), however, the maximum diversity of epiphytes was recorded in September and February (n=14). Light and scanning electron microscopy studies of the epiphyte attachment sites revealed that P.forfex and Ceramium isogonum penetrated into the cortex and outer medulla of G. cliftonii, while Bryopsis plumosa and Laurencia clavata altered the cellular structure of the cell wall of G. cliftonii. 2009 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/8354 10.1007/s10811-009-9469-y Springer restricted
spellingShingle Epiphytic load
Penetration
Epiphytes
Gracilaria
Munoz, Julieta
Fotedar, Ravi
Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia
title Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia
title_full Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia
title_fullStr Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia
title_full_unstemmed Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia
title_short Epiphytism of Gracilaria cliftonii (Withell, Millar & Kraft) from Western Australia
title_sort epiphytism of gracilaria cliftonii (withell, millar & kraft) from western australia
topic Epiphytic load
Penetration
Epiphytes
Gracilaria
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/8354