Joseph Seckbach

Evolutionary pathways and enigmatic algae : Cyanidium caldarium (Rhodophyta) and related cells

Foreword L. Bogorad. Preface J. Seckbach. I: Models for the Eurkaryotic Cellular Origins and Evolutions. 1. Origin of Eukaryota from Cyanobacterium - Membrane Evolution Theory H. Nakamura. 2. Glaucocystophyta: Model for Symbiogenous Evolution of New Eukaryotic Species H. Schenk. 3. Alternative Pathway (Cyanobacterium to Eukaryota) T.E. Jensen. II: Green Enigmatic Algae. 4. Nanochlorum eucaryotum: A Green Enigmatic Alga R. Zahn. 5. Enigmatic Chlorophycean Algae Forming Symbiotic Association with Ciliates W. Reisser. III: The Paradoxical Cyanidiophyceae. The Genus Cyanidium. 6. The Natural History of Cyanidium - Past and Present Perspectives J. Seckbach. 7. Review on the Taxonomic Position of the Cyanidium and Cohorts F.D. Ott, J. Seckbach. 8. Systematic Position and Phylogenic Status of Cyanidium J. Seckbach, F.D. Ott. 9. New Classification for the Genus Cyanidium F.D. Ott, J. Seckbach. 10. Cyanidium investigations in Japan I. Fukuda. 11. The Study of Cyanidiaceae in Russia O. Sentsova. 12. Cyanidium-like Algae from Caves L. Hoffmann. Physiology, Biochemical Pathways and Natural Products. 13. The Function of Peroxisomes in the Cyanidiaceae W. Gross. 14. Nitrogen Metabolism in Thermophilic Algae Rigano, et al. 15. Natural Products of Cyanidiophyceae H. Nagashima. Fine Structures of the Rhodophyta and Cyanidium. 16. Ultrastructure of Unicellular Red Algae S. Broadwater, J. Scott. 17. Ultrastructure of Cytoplasmic Organelles in Cyanidium caldarium K. Ueda. 18. Cyanidium caldarium as a Model Cell for Studying Division of Chloroplasts T. Kuroiwa, et al. Studies on the Molecular Level. 19. Molecular Organization and Expression of the Plastid Genome of Galdieria sulphuraria (= C. caldarium) and Other Unicellular Red Algae K. Zetsche. 20. The Molecular Aspects of Pigments and Photosynthesis in C. caldarium R.F. Troxler. Bibliographic List of the Cyanidiales and Allied Enigmatic Cells. 21. List of Relevant Literature References F.D. Ott, A.J. Petrik-Ott. IV: Appendix. V: Index.

Seaweeds and their role in globally changing environments

Preface, Alvaro Israel, Rachel Einav. Introduction: Introduction to globally changing environment, Joseph Seckbach. List of Authors. PART 1: CHANGES IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT Sea-level changes in the Mediterranean: past, present and future - a review, M. Lichter, D. Zviely, M. Klein and D. Sivan Global climate change and marine conservation, L. Olsvig-Whittaker PART 2: BIODIVERSITY IN MARINE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE GLOBALLY CHANGING ERA Is global warming involved in the success of seaweed introduction in the Mediterranean sea? C. Boudouresque and M. Verlaque Climate change effects on marine ecological communities, G. Rilov and C. Treves Fucoid flora of the rocky intertidal of the Canadian maritimes: implications for the future with rapid climate change, R.A. Ugarte, J.S. Craigie, and A.T. Critchley PART 3: ECOPHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF SEAWEEDS GIS-based environmental analysis, Remote Sensing and Niche modeling of seaweed communities, K. Pauly and O. De Clerck Physiological responses of seaweeds to elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, D. Zou and K. Gao The role of rhodolith beds in the recruitment of invertebrate species from the southwestern Gulf of California, Mexico, R. Riosmena-Rodriguez and M.A. Medina-Lopez The potential impact of climate change on endophyte infections in kelp sporophytes, A. Eggert, A.F. Peters and C. Kupper PART 4: THE EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION ON SEAWEEDS Interactive effects of UV radiation and nutrients on ecophysiology: vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, F.L. Figueroa and N. Korbee Ecological and physiological responses of macroalgae to solar and UV radiation, K. Gao and J. Xu Ultraviolet radiation effects on macroalgae from Patagonia, Argentina, E.W. Helbling, E.W. Villafane and D.P.Hader PART 5: BIOFUEL - SEAWEEDS AS A SOURCE OF FUTURE ENERGY Production of biofuel by macroalgae with preservation of marine resources and environment, M. Notoya Biofuel from algae - salvation from peak oil? C. Rhodes PART 6: CULTIVATION OF SEAWEEDS IN GLOBALLY CHANGING ENVIRONMENTS A review of Kappaphycus farming: prospects and constraints, L. Hayashi, A.Q. Hurtado, F.E. Msuya, G. Bleicher-Lhonneur and A.T. Critchley Recycling of the seaweed Wakame through degradation by halotolerant bacteria, J. Tang, H. Taniguchi, Q. Zhou and S. Nagata Progressive development of new marine environments - IMTA (Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture) production, A.S. Issar and A. Neori Reproductive processes in the red algal genus Gracilaria and impact of climate change, V.A. Mantri, C.R.K. Reddy and B. Jha The role of Porphyra in sustainable culture systems: physiology and applications, R. Pereira and C. Yarish PART 7: BIOTECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF SEAWEED Intensive Seaweed Aquaculture: A Potent Solution Against Global Warming, G. Turan. and A. Neori The future is green: on the biotechnological potential of green algae, W. Reisser The potential of Caulerpa spp. for biotechnological and pharmacological applications, L. Cavas and G. Pohnert PART 8: OTHER VIEWS TO GLOBAL CHANGE Ecology, science and religion, K.K. Klostermaier Nature and resource conservation as value assessment reflections on theology and ethics, H.J. Roth Global warming according to Jewish law: three circles of reference, S.E. Glicksberg Guarding the globe - A Jewish approach to global warming, Y. Rozenson

Electron microscopical observations of leaf ferritin from iron-treated Xanthium plants: Localization and diversity in the organelle

Increased ferritin quasicrystalline inclusions were obtained in Xanthium pensylvanicum leaves by a method of “iron treatment” applied to the cocklebur plants. Clusters ca. 0.5 μ in diameter of inherent electron dense particles consisting of the iron cores of ferritin (50–60 A diameter) were observed electron microscopically in plastids and mature chloroplasts. In addition to the commonly occurring plastidal ferritin, some cytoplasmic (lipoidal) globules have been shown to contain scattered particles. In some cases the chloroplast bearing this inclusion demonstrates changes in the external shape and alterations from the normal contour. Additional aspects of the aggregate and its function are discussed.

The first eukaryotic cells — Acid hot-spring algae

The Cyanidiophyceae members (PreRhodophyta) may serve as a transitional algal group bridging the cyanobacteria and the unicellular Rhodophyta. This thermoacidic algal group is composed of three genera containing several species. We suggested placing these algae in progressively evolutionary steps: (Cyanidioschyzon → Cyanidium → Galdieria). This evolutional ladder is based upon various areas of research like biochemistry, amount of nuclear genome and shape of chloroplast nucleoid, ultrastructure and ecological aspects. The first alga —Cyanidioschyzon — is the cornerstone of this succession; it shows mixed features between cyanobacterium and archaebacteria(Thermoplasma-like cell). It demonstrates simple eukaryotic cellular features and has the smallest amount of nuclear and chloroplast DNA. The intermediate alga in this line,Cyanidium, is also a simple cell, but shows more progressive characterizations than theCyanidioschyzon. The third taxon,Galdieria, is already very close to the unicellular rhodophytes (red algae) and indicates typical advanced eukaryotic characterization. We propose thatCyanidioschyzon (considered to be the simplest eukaryote) may have evolved from an association betweenThermoplasma-like archaebacterium and a thermophilic cyanobacterium. Autogenous (non-symbiotic) compartmental steps may have taken place fromCyanidioschyzon toCyanidium and then toGaldieria, and from this alga (group) towards the other unicellular red algae.

Lipids of the thermophilic alga Cyanidium caldarium

Abstract A series of fatty acids (C 8 –C 20 ), both, saturated and unsaturated and sterols (C 27 –C 29 ) were identified in the alga, Cyanidium caldarium , using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Some phylogenetic consequences of the results are discussed.

New classification for the genus Cyanidium Geitler 1933

The taxonomic and systematic chapters (Ott and Seckbach in this volume) gave the following binomials (and where applicable their respective formae) that have been applied at various times throughout the years to material presently recognized as the Cyanidaceae Geitler 1933. After each listed binomial there will be found, in parentheses, the modern name of the respective algal division to which the binomial would have been assigned at the time of its initial circumscription. The names of these respective algal divisions here employed were those recommended by Papenfuss (1955) with the single exception that the name for the blue-green algal division has been taken from Bold (1967).

The natural history of Cyanidium (Geitler 1933): past and present perspectives

Cyanidium caldarium is an acid hot spring alga which resembles Chlorella in its external morphological appearance. During reproduction, this alga divides into four endospores (while other species in this class divide into different number of cyanidiospores). This unicellular organism tolerates very acidic growing media of pH 2–4 at maximum temperature of 57 °C (Doemel 1970) and shows better rates of growth and photosynthesis when cultured with pure CO2 (Seckbach et al. 1970). It has primitive eukaryotic cellular structure and biochemical traits which made it a suitable candidate for a transitional cell between cyanobacteria and primitive eukaryotic algae.

Stromatolites : interaction of microbes with sediments

Introduction to Stromatolites [Seckbach, J.].- Foreword [Oren, A.].- List of Authors and Their Addresses.- Acknowledgements.- PART 1: ARCHAEAN - PROTEROZOIC STROMATOLITES AND MICROBIOTA.- Proterozoic Stromatolites of the Itaiacoca Group, Southeast Brazil [Filho, W.S. and Fairchild, T.R.].- Meso-Neoproterozoic Stromatolites from the Indravati and Chhattisgarh Basins, Central India [Guhey, R. et al.].- Stromatolites and Cyanobacterial Mats in Peritidal Evaporitive Environ-ments in the Neoproterozoic of Bascongo (Democratic Republic of Congo) and South Gabon [Preat, A.R. et al.].- Microbiota and Microbial Mats within Ancient Stromatolites in South China [Ruiji C. and Leiming, Y.].- Morphological Changes in Micro-Megascopic life and Stromatolites, recorded during Late Palaeoproterozoic -Neoprotertozoic transition : The Vindhyan Supergroup, India [Srivastava, P and Tewari, V.C.].- Farrel Quartzite Microfossils in the Goldsworthy Greenstone Belt, Pilbara Craton, Western Australia [Sugitani et al.].- Ediacaran Krol Carbonates of the Lesser Himalaya, India: Stromatolitic facies, Depositional Environment, Isotope Stratigraphy and Diagenesis [Tewari, V.C. and Tucker, M.E.].- PART 2: PHANEROZOIC STROMATOLITES.- Aptian to Cenomanian Deeper Water Hiatal Stromatolites from the Northern Tethyan Margin [ Follmi, K. et al.].- Phosphatic Microbialites in the Triassic Phosphogenic Facies of Svalbard [Krajewski, K.].- Microbialites in the Middle - Upper Ammonitico Rosso of the Southern Alps (Italy) [Massari, F and Westphal, H.].- Microbialites as Markers of Biotic and Abiotic Events in the Karst District, Slovenia and Italy [Tunis, G. et al.].- Lower Cretaceous Stromatolites in the Far -East Asia: Examples in Japan and Korea [Yamamoto, A. et al.].- PART 3: MODERN STROMATOLITES (MARINE, LACUSTRINE, HOTSPRINGS).- Modern Marine Stromatolitic Structures: The Sediment Dilemma [Browne, K.].- Are Cyanobacterial Mats Precursors of Stromatolites [Chacon, E., et al.].- Living Stromatolites of Shark Bay, Western Australia: Microbial Inhabitants [Goh, F.].- Character, Analysis and Preservation of Biogenicity in Terrestrial Siliceous Stromatolites from Geothermal Settings [Handley, K. and Campbell, K.A.].- Microbial Diversity in Modern Stromatolites [Foster, J.S. and Green, S.J.].- Microbialites and Sediments : A Two Year Record of Burial and Exposure of Stromatolites and Thrombolites at Highborne Cay Bahamas [Reid, R.P. et al.].- Modern Stromatolite Ecosystems at Alkaline and Hypersaline High Altitude Lakes at the Argentinian Puna [Farias, M.E. et al.].- PART 4: MODERN INSTRUMENTAL TECHNIQUES FOR THE STUDY OF STROMATOLITES AND MICROBIOTA.- MICRO-FTIR Spectroscopic Imaging of 1900 Ma Stromatolitic Chert [Igisu, M. et al.].- Elemental and Isotopic Analysis by NANOSIMS: Insights for the Study of Stromatolites and Early Life on Earth [Kilburn, R. K. and Wacey, D.].- Stromatolites, Organic Walled Microorganisms, Laser Raman Spectroscopy and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of the Meso - Neoproterozoic Buxa Formation, Ranjit Window, Sikkim Lesser Himalaya, NE India [Tewari, V.C.].- PART 5: GEOCHEMISTRY AND GEOMICROBIOLOGY OF STROMATOLITES AND MICROBIOTA.- Petrology, Elemental and Isotopic Geochemistry, and Geomicrobiology of Carbonate Infillings and Biofilms Lining Cracks below the Neoproterozoic Cap Carbonate in the Mirabat Inlier, Southernmost Oman [Brookfield, M. E. et al.].- Cave Geomicrobiology in India : Status and Prospects [Baskar S. et al.].- The Role of Sulfate Reduction in Stromatolites and Microbial Mats: Ancient and Modern Perspectives [Dillon, J.].- Carbonate Sediments Microbially Induced by Anaerobic Oxidation of Methane in Hydrocarbon Seeps [Jenkins, R.G. and Hikida, Y.].- Biostratigraphy, Sedimentation and Chemostratigraphy of the Tertiary Neotethys Sediments from the NE Himalaya, India [Lokho, K and Tewari, V.C.].- Evidence of Microbial Biomineralization in Modern and Ancient Stromatolites [Perri, E. and Spadafora, A.].- Possible Fe Isotope Fractionation During Microbiological Processing in Ancient and Modern Marine Environments [Preat, A.R. et al.].- New Representation on the Nature of Stromatolites [Sumina, E.L. and Sumin, D.L.].- Sulfur Isotopes in Stromatolites [Strauss, H.].- PART 6: ASTROBIOLOGY.- Preservation Potential of Organics and Habitability of Clay Minerals and Iron Rich Environments: Novel Analogs for MSL Landing Sites [Bonaccorsi, R.].- The Sulfur Cycle on the Early Earth : Implications for the Search of Life on Europa and Elsewhere [Chela Flores, J and Tewari, V.C.].- PART 7: SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS.- Summary, Conclusions and Future Prospects [Seckbach, J. and Tewari, V.C.].- Subject Index.- Author Index.

The Cyanidiophyceae: Hot Spring Acidophilic Algae

The Cyanidiaceae are exceptional organisms among the microalgal communities, these cells thrive in extreme ecological conditions (see Seckbach, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 1997). They are considered very primitive eukaryotes and possess features of prokaryotic algae. Although basically they are autotrophic, they also tolerate anaerobic conditions (Lafraie and Betz, 1985), have very low pH ranges, flourish at elevated temperature ranges, and thrive under pure carbon dioxide (Seckbach et al. 1970). More research has been concentrated on these inconspicuous and controversial algae in recent years than on any other organism (see Fredrick, 1998). These unicellular microalgae appear similar to Chlorella (Chlorphyta) in size and external morphology under the light microscope. The blue-green coloration of these eukaryotic algae is due to their phycocyanin and chlorophyll-a photo-pigments. Despite their coloration they are currently classified in the lower Rhodophyta (red algal division).

Sterols and phylogeny of the acidophilic hot springs algae Cyanidium caldarium and Galdieria sulphuraria

Abstract The sterols of Cyanidium caldarium and Galdieria sulphuraria were analysed. These unicellular blue-green eukaryotic algae are acido-thermophili