Yuze Mao

'Green tides' are overwhelming the coastline of our blue planet: taking the world's largest example

A broad spectrum of events that come under the category of green tide are recognized world-wide as a response to elevated levels of seawater nutrients in coastal areas. Green tides involve a wide diversity of sites, macroalgal species, consequences, and possible causes. Here we review the effect of natural and man-induced environmental fluctuations on the frequency and apparent spread of green tides. This article highlights the need for interdisciplinary research aimed at shedding light on the basic mechanisms governing the occurrence and succession of green algae in coastal seas. This will result in more effective management and mitigation of the effects of green tides, thus safeguarding the intrinsic and commercial value of coastal marine ecosystems.

Characterization and production of tetraspore-derived seedlings of Grateloupia lanceolata (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) in northeastern China

Ye N., Zhang X., Wang H., Lian W., Mao Y., Xu D., Li B., Liang C., Zou J., Zhu B., Jiang Z., Gao Z. and Li D. 2012. Characterization and production of tetraspore-derived seedlings of Grateloupia lanceolata (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) in northeastern China. Phycologia 51: 330–339. DOI: 10.2216/11-03.1 In this study, Grateloupia lanceolata, newly recorded from northeastern China, was classified on the basis of morphology and rbcL sequence analysis and also raised in a laboratory to evaluate the feasibility of producing tetraspore-derived seedlings. Analysis of the rbcL sequence showed the samples to be monophyletic with G. lanceolata and different from any other species of the genus. Analysis of variance indicated that time has a significant (P < 0.01) effect on both tetraspore output and the percentage of total tetraspores released; those released in the first 2 d made up more than 72% of the total sporulation output; whereas, those released in the last 2 d contributed only 2.52%. In culture, tetraspores released from the unilocular sporangia developed into small discs in one week, and 87% ± 5.7% of the tetraspores that settled developed into sporelings after 9 wk of culture. Tetraspore culture of G. lanceolata in tanks and in the open sea proved to be a feasible method of generating large numbers of individual gametophytes economically.