Yasutsugu Yokohama

Productivity of theEcklonia cava community in a bay of Izu Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Japan

Net production of theEcklonia cava community was monitored on a monthly basis for a year, and annual net production was estimated. Growth rate of blades reached a maximum of about 13 g dry wt·m−2·day−1 in spring and a minimum of about 2 g dry wt·m−2·day−1 in late summer. Annual production of blades was calculated to be 2.84 kg dry wt·m−2·year−1. If the growth of stipes is taken into account, annual net production is estimated to be about 2.9 kg dry wt·m−2·year−1. Standing crop was monitored monthly for two and a half years, and a close negative correlation was found between seasonal change in standing crop and net production. Standing crop reached a maximum of about 3 kg dry wt·m−2 in summer and a minimum of about 1 kg dry wt·m−2 in winter. Low productivity in summer at a period of maximum biomass may be explained by the dense canopy and the large area of reproductive portion occupying a blade, which diminish net assimilation.

The Cellular Ability of Desiccation Tolerance in Japanese Intertidal Seaweeds

Abstract Photosynthetic activities of submerged seaweeds before and after drying were measured in eighteen species collected from different vertical positions from a Pacific shore at Shimoda City in Japan. The seaweeds were desiccated until the cellular water levels equilibrated with the air in the chamber under various humidities at 10 °C. Relative water contents of all species drastically decreased as the cellular water potentials were reduced from 0 to −14MPa and gradually decreased in the range from −14 to −158MPa. Porphyra dentata, which is an upper intertidal species, recovered photosynthetic activity from the lowermost water potential of −158MPa, while the plants collected from the lower intertidal and subtidal zones reduced their photosynthetic activities after desiccation to comparatively higher water potentials from 0 to −14MPa. Other species collected from the middle intertidal zone reduced their photosynthetic activities following desiccation to water potentials in the range from −14 to −158MPa. It is concluded that the cellular abilities of desiccation tolerance in intertidal seaweeds varied between the species examined and correlated with their vertical position within the tidal zone.

Photosynthesis and respiration in bladelets of Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) in two localities with different temperature conditions

Characteristics of photosynthesis and respiration of bladelets were compared between Ecklonia cava Kjellman sporophytes growing in a warmer temperate locality (Tei, Kochi Pref., southern Japan) and in a cooler temperate locality (Nabeta, Shizuoka Pref., central Japan). Photosynthesis and respiration were measured with a differential gas‐volumeter (Productmeter). In photosynthesis‐light curves at 20°C, the rate of net photosynthesis was almost the same at light intensities lower than 25 μmol m−2 s−1 and the light‐saturation occurred at 200–400 μmol m−2s−1 in plants of both localities. The light‐saturated net photosynthetic rates were higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn in both plants. The optimum temperature for net photosynthesis at 400 μmol m−2s−1 was 27°C throughout the year in the Tei plant and 25–27°C in the Nabeta plant. The decrease of net photosynthetic rates in the supraoptimal temperature range up to 29°C was sharper in winter and spring than in summer and autumn in both plants, being smaller in the Tei plant than in the Nabeta plant in all seasons. The dark respiration rate always increased with water temperature rise in both plants. No clear differences were found in the dark respiration rate between Tei and Nabeta plants except that when measured against dry weight, the Tei plant showed a slightly lower rate as compared with the Nabeta plant.

Critical light conditions for young Ecklonia cava and Eisenia bicyclis with reference to photosynthesis

The brown algae Ecklonia cava and Eisenia bicyclis are widely distributed along the Pacific coast of central Japan, and are important algae both ecologically and economically. Wherever the water condition and substratum are suitable, these species form a dense marine forest in the sublittoral zone. Considerable knowledge has been accumulated on their distribution and population structure from the ecological point of view (Hayashida, 1977; Iwahashi, 1968; Iwahashi et al., 1979; Kida & Maegawa, 1982, 1983, 1985; Ohno & Ishikawa, 1982; Taniguchi & Kato, 1984; Maegawa & Kida, 1984a, b). There are, however, few studies of their photosynthesis, knowledge of which is important for estimating the primary production (Y. Sakanishi, Y. Yokohama & Y. Aruga, unpubl.).

Ecological studies on the community of drifting seaweeds in the south‐eastern coastal waters of Izu Peninsula, central Japan. I: Seasonal changes of plants in species composition, appearance, number of species and size

Seasonal patterns of drifting seaweeds in the southeastern coastal waters of Izu Peninsula of central Japan were examined by sampling 966 patches from spring to autumn 1991–1993. In total, 57 plant species appeared, including 10 epiphytic algal species. Monthly totals of the number of species, excluding epiphytic aigae, were highest in May (33) and August (27), though 19–21 species of sargassaceous algae were found from May to August, The number of species, excluding epiphytic algae, in one patch of drifting seaweeds was 1 to 11 (x̄= 2.93 ± 2.06) with high richness in May a result of almost entirely sargassaceous species. The wet weight of each patch and maximum stipe length of plants varied from 5 to 6970 g and from 20 to 840 cm (x̄= 536.1 ± 782,3 g and 110.6 ± 76.8 cm), respectively, with highs in April and May. Out of 18 species common to all years, 10 species dominated the top or second rank in monthly pooled frequency of appearance. Seasonal changes of these 10 major species were examined, Sargassum horneri (Turner) C. Agardh and Hizikia fusiformis (Harvey) Okamura were abundant in April, but were replaced partly by Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt in May and largely by Sargassum yamamotoi Yoshida in June. In July, Sargassum nipponicum Yendo and Sargassum piluliferum (Turner) C. Agardh dominated. Subsequently, the major species shifted to Sargassum ringgoldianum Harvey and S. yamamotoi in August, Sargassum micracanthum (Kützing) Endlicher, Sargassum macrocarpum C. Agardh and Zostera marina Linnaeus in September, and S. ringgoldianum and S. micracanthum in October. However, the occurrence of S. yamamotoi, S. nipponicum and S. piluliferum in June or July were particularly heterogeneous compared with other areas of Japan. Dendrogram analysis was done based on frequency of appearance. Pooled monthly samples were divided into three groups characterized from the dominant species, degree of domination, weight, length and number of species of drifting seaweeds as well as the degree of diversity or evenness in appearance. This characterization indicated that the diversity and abundance of drifting seaweeds were higher from April to June than in later months.

Photosynthetic activity of a temperate coral Acropora pruinosa (Scleractinia, Anthozoa) with symbiotic algae in Japan

Physiological properties of the temperate hermatypic coral Acropora pruinosa Brook with symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) on the southern coast of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, were compared between summer and winter. Photosynthesis and respiration rates of the coral with symbiotic zooxanthellae were measured in summer and winter under controlled temperatures and irradiances with a differential gasvolumeter (Productmeter). Net photosynthetic rate under all irradiances was higher in winter than in summer at the lower range of temperature (12–20°C), while lower than in summer at the higher range of temperature (20–30°C). The optimum temperature for net photosynthesis was apt to fall with the decrease of irradiance both in summer and winter, whereas it was higher in summer than in winter under each irradiance. At 25/ 50/100 μmol photons nr2 s−1, it was nearly the sea‐water temperature in each season. Dark respiration rate was higher in winter than in summer, especially in the range from 20–30°C. In both seasons the optimum temperature for gross photosynthesis was 28°C under 400 μmol photons nr2 s−1 and lowered with decreasing irradiance up to 22°C under 25 μmol photons nr2 s−1 in summer, while 20°C under the same irradiance in winter. The optimum temperature for production/respiration (P/R) ratio was higher in summer than in winter under each irradiance. Results indicated that metabolism of coral and zooxanthellae is adapted to ambient temperature condition under nearly natural irradiance in each season.

Growth of Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) sporophytes transplanted to a locality with different temperature conditions

Transplanting experiments were carried out to determine whether the small type sporophytes with short stipe of Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) growing in a locality with warm temperatures, change into larger type with a long stipe when transplanted to a locality with cooler temperatures. Juvenile E. cava sporophytes, having a stipe shorter than 5 cm long were collected from Tei in Tosa Bay (southern Japan) (seawater temperature 15–29°C) and transplanted to Nabeta Bay (central Japan) (seawater temperature 13–25°C), where larger type E. cava sporophytes characterized by long stipe (ca 1 m) grow. They were attached to artificial reefs at the sea bottom (9 m depth) in Nabeta Bay to monitor their growth. For comparison, juvenile E. cava sporophytes of almost similar size growing in Nabeta Bay were also transplanted in the same way to the same experimental site. Observations of growth of sporophytes from Tei and Nabeta were carried out monthly for 2 years from November 1995 to October 1997. The transplanted Tei and Nabeta sporophytes showed an increase in stipe length and diameter from winter to spring, whereas almost no increase was observed during summer and autumn. At the end of the study period, the stipe of Nabeta sporophytes reached 25.6 cm in length and 17.0 mm in diameter, whereas that of Tei sporophytes reached 11.1 cm in length and 11.2 mm in diameter. The primary blade length was 16.0 cm in Nabeta sporophytes, whereas it was 5.5 cm in Tei sporophytes. Thus, Tei sporophytes still remained smaller than Nabeta sporophytes even under the same environmental conditions.

Morphometric study of Ecklonia cava (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) sporophytes in two localities with different temperature conditions

Sporophytes of Ecklonia cava Kjellman (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) were collected seasonally from within 3–4 replicate, 1‐m2 quadrates, haphazardly placed in dense assemblages at 6–9 m depth in Tei, Tosa Bay (southern Japan; water temperature 15–29°C) from 1995 to 1996, and in Nabeta Bay, Shimoda (central Japan; water temperature 13–25°C) from 1996 to 1997. Growth rings were checked for all samples and mean values of each biometric parameter of sporophytes 1‐year‐old and over were compared. The plant length (stipe length + primary blade length) was always shorter in Tei sporophytes (24–52 cm) than Nabeta sporophytes (70–100 cm), the difference being mainly owing to the shorter stipe length in Tei sporophytes (7–14 cm) than in Nabeta sporophytes (54–83 cm). However, the primary blade length was sometimes longer in Tei sporophytes (12–38 cm) than in Nabeta sporophytes (14–21 cm). Stipe diameter, longest bladelet length and primary blade width were mostly less in Tei sporophytes (8.6–12.4 mm, 5.5–7.0 cm and 23.4–38.0 cm, respectively) than Nabeta sporophytes (16.4–20.2 mm, 9.2–12.0 cm and 43.0–52.6 cm, respectively). Nevertheless, the number of bladelets of sporophytes from Tei (15–28) and Nabeta (18–29) were within the same range. At Tei, 32–43% of the sporophytes had wrinkled blades in summer and autumn, whereas wrinkled primary blades or bladelets were not observed in Nabeta sporophytes throughout the experimental period. These morphometric differences of E. cava between the two localities are suggested to be dependent on environmental factors, especially seawater temperature.

Seasonal changes of photosynthetic activity of a brown algaEcklonia cava Kjellman

Samples of a brown algaEcklonia cava Kjellman from a depth of about 5 m in the subtidal zone of Nabeta Bay, Shimoda, were used to investigate photosynthesis in relation to light intensity, temperature, age and season. Photosynthesis and respiration were measured by gas-volumeters with discs (4.1 cm2) of the bladelet. The lightsaturation of photosynthesis at 20 C or atin situ temperatures occurred mostly at about 10 klux. Almost no photoinhibition of photosynthesis was observed within the light intensity range up to 30 klux. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis was around 25 C throughout a year, being slightly higher in summer and lower in winter. The light-saturated net photosynthetic rate at 20 C of the grown-up bladelets began to increase in late autumn, reached the maxima (48 μl O2 cm−2 hr−1, 16 μl O2 mg (d.w.)−1 hr−1, 2.3 μl O2 μg (chl.a)−1 hr−1) in winter, and declined to reach the minima (30 μl O2 cm−2 hr−1, 5.0 μl O2 mg(d.w.)−1 hr−1, 1.0 μl O2 μg(chl.a)−1 hr−1) in summer or early autumn. Young bladelets showed almost the same seasonal changes in the photosynthetic rates. The photosynthetic rates of the basal part were significantly lower than those of the apical part of a bladelet. The respiratory rate of the grown-up bladelet increased almost linearly with temperature in the range of 5–30 C. No marked change in the respiratory rate at 20 C was observed throughout a year.

Growth and survival rates of large-type sporophytes of Ecklonia cava transplanted to a growth environment with small-type sporophytes

Stipe lengths of sporophytes of Ecklonia cava Kjellman have been reported to be longer along the southeast than southwest coast of the Izu Peninsula, central Japan. Two bays in this region that have natural populations of E. cava, but with different stipe lengths, were chosen for transplant experiments to examine if stipe length was an environmentally controlled trait. Transplant experiments were carried out in order to determine whether large-type sporophytes of E. cava with long stipes growing in Nabeta Bay (southeast Izu Peninsula, Japan) would turn into small-type sporophytes with short stipes when transplanted to Nakagi Bay (southwest Izu Peninsula). Ten juvenile sporophytes of E. cava (stipe length < 5 cm) were collected from Nabeta Bay (large-type habitat) and transplanted to Nakagi Bay (short-type habitat) in December 1995. As a transplant control, ten juvenile sporophytes of E. cava growing in Nakagi Bay were also transplanted to the same artificial reefs. Growth and survival rates of the sporophytes were monitored monthly for 3 y until December 1998. The transplanted sporophytes showed an increase in their stipe length and diameter from winter to spring, whereas almost no increase was observed from summer to autumn. However, the elongation was greater in Nabeta sporophytes than in Nakagi sporophytes. The primary blade length increased mainly from winter to early spring and decreased largely in autumn. Average primary blade lengths were similar in both Nabeta and Nakagi sporophytes from the end of the first year of transplanting. Although ca. 70% of both Nabeta and Nakagi sporophytes survived during the first 2 y after transplantation, no Nakagi sporophytes and only two Nabeta sporophytes survived to the end of the 3 y study period. Despite transplantation to Nakagi Bay, where short sitpes are naturally present, the sporophytes from Nabeta Bay persisted in having longer stipes, which suggests that stipe length is genetically, rather than environmentally, controlled.