Kathleen M. Cole

BIOGEOGRAPHY OF STREAM MACROALGAE IN NORTH AMERICA1

In a survey of 1000 20‐m long stream segments in North America from 73°N to 10° N, 259 infrageneric taxa were identified, composed of 35% Chlorophyta, 24% Cyanophyta, 21% Chrysophyta, 20% Rhodophyta, and one species of Phaeophyta. The most common morphological forms were mats (42%), gelatinous colonies (23%), and gelatinous filaments (13%); the majority of taxa were vegetative (78%). The frequency of reproductive states varied among the biomes examined, with the highest values observed as follows: vegetative (85%) in the tundra, sexual (35%) in the deciduous forest, and asexual (21%) in the tropical rainforest. In terms of total species, the tundra had the lowest number (54), the boreal forest had the greatest number (100), and other well‐sampled biomes had 84 to 87. The Chlorophyta had the greatest species numbers in all biomes, and the relative contribution of this division did not vary significantly throughout the continent. With regard to similarity of species composition, the two closest associations were the boreal forest with the western coniferous forest and the eastern hemlock–hardwood forest with the deciduous forest. Species numbers per stream segment ranged from 0 to 11 (X̄= 3.1), cover ranged from 0 to 100% (X̄= 15%), and there was no significant difference in these values among the biomes. The cyanophyte Phormidium retzii (C. Ag.) Gom. was the most widespread species (in 172 segments and all biomes). The majority of species were found in moderate current velocities (X̄= 40 cm X̄ s−1), neutral to slightly alkaline pH (X̄= 7.5), and moderately low ion waters (X̄= 261 μS · cm−1). On both tropical and Arctic islands, there was no significant increase in total species or species numbers per stream segment with increasing surface area.

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SWARMERS IN THE LAMINARIALES (PHAEOPHYCEAE). I. ZOOSPORES1

Zoospores of 17 species in 14 genera of Laminariales, collected in the northeast Pacific Ocean, were studied by electron microscopy. These zoospores are unique in the brown algae in lacking both an eyespot in the single chloroplast and any associated swelling at the base of the shorter, posterior flagellum. Spores of all species examined possess a distal whiplash portion on the longer, mastigoneme‐bearing anterior flagellum. This appendage may sometimes be as long as the mastigoneme‐bearing portion of the flagellum, but it is only seldom preserved in the preparations for electron microscopy. A microtubular cytoskeleton is probably responsible for maintaining the shape of the spore. It consists of a short band of about 10 microtubules between the two basal bodies, scattered tubules converging at the anterior of the spore, a band of 7–9 tubules directed anteriorly from the anterior basal body, and a band directed posteriorly from the posterior basal body. These anterior and posterior bands may form one continuous band looping around the periphery of the spore. Variation with possible taxonomic significance was found in the ultrastructure of vesicles which apparently contain adhesive material, and which are extruded through the plasmalemma when the zoospores settle.

Distribution and salinity adaptations of Bangia atropurpurea (Rhodophyta), a putative migrant into the Laurentian Great Lakes

In a survey of the distribution of Bangia atropurpurea (Roth) Ag. along the north and east shorelines of the Laurentian Great Lakes, it was observed that this species was concentrated in the lower lakes. Asexual reproduction by monospore formation was the only form of reproduction in these populations. First generation germlings derived from these spores grew in a wide range of salinities from 1 to 26‰, but the rate was inversely proportional to salinity. In addition, acclimation of parent plants to freshwater or marine media prior to sporulation affected growth rates of first generation germlings placed into a series of salinities. By the second and third generation, germlings with a lineage of seawater showed a preference for the higher salinities, 19 and 26‰ Plants collected in Lake Ontario exhibited no decline in photosynthetic rate as salinity was raised by 13‰ for 15 min. At 26‰ the rate was reduced by half and thylakoids were disrupted in the region of the pyrenoid. On the other hand, third generation plants with a history of seawater attained maximum photosynthetic rates at 26‰ and contained a normal thylakoid organization. Three chromosomes were observed in these plants, which agrees with some of the previous findings for marine Bangia. Origins and taxonomic status of Bangia growing In the Great Lakes are discussed in light of these findings.

Distribution of stream macroalgae in south-central Alaska

Forty stream segments were sampled throughout the Cook Inlet drainage basin in June 1984. There was a great range in stream size, current velocity, temperature, shading, conductance and water color. This range in variables presumably has resulted in a diverse flora of 40 species of lotic macroalgae. The major divisions in terms of species numbers were the Chlorophyta (43%), Bacillariophyta (25%), Rhodophyta (13%) and Xanthophyta (13%). Filaments were the predominant form (60% of species), though mats were common (28% of species). Species numbers and abundance were significantly correlated to water temperature. Distribution was patchy in the basin, with total cover varying from less than 1% to 90% of the stream bottom. Lowland brown-water streams flowing through emergent wetlands tended to have the highest species diversity and abundance. In the drainage basin, the chrysophyte Hydrurus foetidus and the blue-green alga Phormidium retzii exhibited strongly developed dominance. This pattern of niche pre-emption appears to be typical of stream macroalgal communities in general.

Tundra stream macroalgae of North America: composition, distribution and physiological adaptations

Eighty-three infrageneric taxa of stream macroalgae have been reported from tundra regions of North America, composed of 32 cyanobacteria, 35 Chlorophyta, 10 Chrysophyta and 6 Rhodophyta. There are few if any endemics represented in this flora. The most widespread species are the cyanobacteria Rivularia minutula, Nostoc commune and Tolypothrix tenuis as well as asexual populations of the chlorophyte genus Zygnema. The relative contribution of cyanobacteria compared to that of the Chlorophyta increases from the low to high arctic. Number of species per segment ranges from 0 to 7, with a mean of 2.8, and varies little between the low and high arctic. The percentage of stream bottom covered by macroalgae ranges from 0 to ca. 75%; mean cover values for low and high arctic streams are ca. 12 and 8%, respectively. Tundra macroalgae tend to be more abundant and diverse in less rigorously flowing stream sections. Most species tolerate prolonged freezing by forming resistant vegetative cells with thick walls, plentiful reserves and low molecular weight solutes to lower the freezing point. Many tundra stream macroalgae also produce ‘sunscreen’ pigments to reduce exposure to damaging radiation in the blue and ultraviolet regions. Nutrients tend to be low and phosphorus is often limiting in these systems. Arctic streams appear to differ from those of Antarctica in having potential grazers of macroalgae, such as the chironomid Diamesa, the mayfly Baetis and the caddisfly Brachycentrus.

DISTRIBUTION AND SYSTEMATICS OF BATRACHOSPERMUM (BATRACHOSPERMALES, RHODOPHYTA) IN NORTH AMERICA. 3. SECTION SETACEA1

Six populations of Batirachospermum section Setacea from North America were compared to eight type specimens using multivariate morphometrics and image analysis. From this analysis, four species in this section were distinguished worldwide: B. atrum (Hudson) Hartley [syn. B. gallaei Sirodot]; B. orrthostichum Skuja, B. sertularina (Bory) Bory]; B. diatyches Entwisle; B. androinvolucrum sp. nov.; and B. puiggarianum Grunow in Wittrock et Nordstedt (syn. B. angolense Welwitsch ex West et West, B. nigrescens Welwitsch ex West et West). Two of these species were found in North America: B. atrum in California and Texas and B. androinvolucrum in British Columbia, Washington State, and Alabama. The new species, B. androinvolucrum, is distinguished by having spermatangia restricted to one‐celled involucral bracts of the carpogonial branch.

Ultrastructural changes in major organelles during spermatial differentiation inBangia (Rhodophyta)

SummaryThe major organelles within the cells of maleBangia atropurpurea (Roth) C. Ag. filaments undergo a series of ultrastructural transformations during the production of spermatia. Initially, thylakoids within the large axial chloroplast develop a reticulate pattern commencing at the central pyrenoid region. Subsequent changes involve loss of lobes and diminution of volume through division; chloroplasts in final stages contain a few dilated, distorted thylakoids and many plastoglobuli. During differentiation the large nucleolus disappears from the nucleus and four masses of chromatin aggregate near the nuclear envelope. Furrows originating from the nuclear envelope form double membranes around each of the chromatin masses and most of the nucleoplasm is eliminated. Several types of fibrillar vesicles are formed during the process and large floridean starch reserves are utilized. Multilamellar bodies and microbody-like structures occur within the cells during certain phases of spermatiogenesis.

Systematics of Bangia (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) in North America. II. Biogeographical trends in karyology: chromosome numbers and linkage with gene sequence phylogenetic trees

Abstract An extensive karyological analysis was carried out on marine and freshwater Bangia from North America (70°N to c. 23°N), including 40 collections from the Pacific, 39 from the Atlantic, 8 from the Laurentian Great Lakes and also 2 freshwater collections from Europe for comparison with the Great Lakes material. Chromosome numbers were determined and linked to gene trees derived from DNA sequence analyses of the chloroplast rbcL and nuclear small-subunit (SSU) rRNA genes. For the first time in one continent, five different chromosomal types were observed among marine populations, viz. monosporic plants with three (n), four (n) or six (2n) chromosomes and sexual plants with three (n)/six (2n) or four (n)/eight (2n) chromosomes. These types were also characterized with respect to seasonality and distribution. Freshwater Bangia filaments were all monosporic, with three chromosomes and a distinctive chromosome morphology: the third chromosome is very much smaller than that in marine three-chromosome collections. Based on these observations and DNA sequence analyses in which freshwater collections of Bangia are positioned on a separate and well-supported branch, we propose resurrecting the name B. atropurpurea to represent this lineage. There also appear to be some distinct entities among the marine Bangia occurring along North American coastlines, judging by chromosome numbers and gene trees. For example, there is a transarctic group of monosporic three-chromosome plants that have identical sequences for rbcL and very similar nuclear SSU rRNA gene sequences. However, populations of Bangia along the mid to southern coasts of North America with the same chromosome number were not always found to cluster together in gene trees, suggesting a mixing of multiple species brought about possibly by vector-assisted transport. At this time, marine populations should continue to be recognized as B. fuscopurpurea until their complex relationships can be resolved.

An evaluation of species relationships in the Porphyra perforata complex (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) using starch gel electrophoresis

Traditional morphological features have formed the basis for distinguishing species of Porphyra. Among these features are number of cell layers, number of chloroplasts per cell, arrangement of reproductive structures on the thallus, and overall morphology. Chromosome number and chromosome morphology have helped corroborate some species identities. A survey of northeast Pacific species of Porphyra using starch gel electrophoresis of 15 soluble proteins has shown that electrophoretic banding patterns provide a reliable diagnostic tool for species identification. Data from starch gel electrophoresis are presented to confirm the identities of species formerly associated with the Porphyra perforata species-complex in British Columbia and northern Washington. Porphyra abbottae, P. fallax, P. kanakaensis, and P. torta are recognized as distinct species, and Porphyra sanjuanensis is synonymized with P. perforata.

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON THE CELL WALLS OF SEXUAL AND ASEXUAL BANGIA ATROPURPUREA (RHODOPHYTA). I. HISTOCHEMISTRY OF POLYSACCHARIDES1

A comparative histochemical study of the nature and distribution of acidic and neutral cell wall polysaccharides was conducted on marine sexual and asexual filaments of the red alga Bangia atropurpurea (Roth) C. Ag. Outer and inner walls of this species were clearly partitioned according to staining and transmission electron microscopic characteristics. Neutral polysaccharides were detected in the outer coating (cuticle) but were absent from outer and inner walls of all filaments. Acidic polysaccharides were noted in the outer wall material but not in the inner wall layers of any filaments at any developmental stages. The major staining component of vegetative regions of sexual material and all regions of asexual filaments was a highly sulfated polymer. During sexual reproduction only there was a generalized change in the nature of the acidic component, characterized by a decrease in intensity of staining for sulfates in both male and female filaments and the appearance, in female filaments only, of polysaccharides which presumably were carboxylated. Spermatia attached to both male and female filaments in regions where sexual differentiation was initiated and where changes in the outer wall components commenced.