Orientadores: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite, Silvana Gomes Leite Siqueira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T12:09:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Machado_GlaucoBarretodeOliveira_M.pdf: 985183 bytes, checksum: 0ebee94e2eacdcb899d86341f1c8dc83 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Macroalgas oferecem alimento e hábitat para pequenos herbívoros, como anfípodes. O papel da macroalga como alimento é um dos principais fatores que influencia a interação herbívoro-macroalga. Dessa forma, para compreender essa interação, é imprescindível conhecer as consequências da dieta sobre a aptidão de pequenos herbívoros e a associação desses animais com as macroalgas em campo. Nesse estudo, avaliamos a variação temporal de anfípodes herbívoros da família Ampithoidae e da alga parda Sargassum filipendula e suas epífitas. Em complemento, investigamos o efeito do consumo de algas com diferentes características (Sargassum filipendula e duas algas epífitas, Dictyota cervicornis e Hypnea musciformis) sobre a aptidão de dois ampitoídeos, Cymadusa filosa e Sunampithoe pelagica, bem como a preferência e taxa alimentar desses anfípodes. A composição das espécies de Ampithoidae variou quanto ao tempo e foi influenciada pela biomassa de Sargassum e pela intensidade de epifitismo. Sunampithoe pelagica destacou-se como a espécie de ampitoídeo mais abundante, apresentando forte associação com a biomassa de Sargassum. As espécies C. filosa, Ampithoe marcuzzi e A. ramondi ocorreram em menor abundância e acompanharam a variação da biomassa de epífitas. Nos experimentos de aptidão, jovens de S. pelagica alimentados com Sargassum, em comparação àqueles nos tratamentos com Hypnea e Dictyota, apresentaram maior sobrevivência, o que sugere uma dieta restrita apresentada por essa espécie. Para C. filosa, a sobrevivência foi semelhante entre jovens submetidos às três dietas, porém, aqueles alimentados com Sargassum apresentaram maior crescimento e sucesso reprodutivo. Em um experimento de múltipla escolha de algas, adultos de C. filosa e S. pelagica apresentaram maior preferência de consumo pela alga Sargassum. Quando não oferecida escolha quanto ao alimento, as três algas foram consumidas por adultos de C. filosa a uma mesma taxa. Em contraste, Sargassum foi à alga mais consumida por adultos de S. pelagica no experimento de taxa alimentar. Apesar de ambas as espécies de anfípodes apresentarem maior preferência e sucesso ao consumirem Sargassum, elas responderam de maneiras distintas quando oferecidas outras algas, o que pode refletir as diferenças observadas entre essas espécies quanto aos seus padrões de ocorrência em campo. Nesse sentido, enquanto um importante componente na interação entre pequenos herbívoros e macroalgas, a dieta pode influenciar as respostas de anfípodes herbívoros às variações de biomassa das macroalgas. Além disso, nossos resultados reforçam a importância de se considerar as especificidades de cada herbívoro para compreensão do impacto desses animais sobre a comunidade de algas / Abstract: Macroalgae offer food and habitat for small herbivores, such as amphipods. The role of the macroalgae as food is one of the main driving factors of the herbivore-macroalga interaction. Hence, in order to comprehend this interaction, one must necessarily know the consequences of the diet on the fitness of small herbivores and on the association between these animals and the algae in the field. We herein assess the temporal variation of herbivore amphipods, of the Ampithoidae family, and of the brown seaweed Sargassum filipendula and its epiphytes. In addition, we explore the effects of the consumption of algae with different characteristics (Sargassum filipendula and two epiphytes, Dictyota filosa and Sunampithoe pelagica) on the fitness of two ampithoids, Cymadusa filosa and Sunampithoe pelagica, as well as on their feeding preference and rate. The composition of Ampithoidae species displayed temporal variation and was influenced by the Sargassum biomass and the intensity of epiphytism. Sunampithoe pelagica revealed itself as the most abundant species of Ampithoidae, and was strongly associated to the Sargassum biomass. The C. filosa, Ampithoe marcuzzi and A. ramondi species were less abundant, and they accompanied the variation of the epiphyte biomass. In the fitness experiments, young S. pelagica being fed Sargassum, as compared to the groups being fed Hypnea and Dictyota, displayed larger survival rates. This suggests that this species has a restricted diet. Regarding C. filosa, the survival rate was similar for the young specimens subjected to three diets, but those fed Sargassum showed greater growth and higher reproductive success. In a multiple choice experiments, C. filosa and S. pelagica adults were shown to prefer consuming Sargassum. When they were not offered a choice, C. filosa adults consumed the three algae at the same rate. In contradistinction to this, in the feeding rate experiment S. pelagica adults consumed Sargassum the most. In spite of the two amphipod species displaying greater preference and success rates when consuming Sargassum, they reacted differently when other algae was offered them, which might explain the observed differences regarding their occurrence patterns in the field. Therefore, as an important factor of herbivore-macroalgae interaction, feeding can influence the responses of herbivorous amphipods to changes in macroalgae biomass. Furthermore, our results stress the importance of considering the specificities of each herbivore in order to understand the impact of these animals on the community of algae / Mestrado / Ecologia / Mestre em Ecologia

Orientadores: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite, Giuliano Buzá Jacobucci / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T12:16:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Siqueira_SilvanaGomesLeite_D.pdf: 2460624 bytes, checksum: 11cc560773d9117ec50e5c04d3f4ba0c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: O monitoramento dos ambientes marinhos pode ser feito avaliando a presença de poluentes em organismos que são capazes de acumular estas substâncias. Desta forma, este estudo avaliou a presença de hidrocarbonetos petrogênicos na alga parda Sargassum furcatum e em anfípodes ampitoídeos associados provenientes de costões rochosos do Canal de São Sebastião, o qual está sujeito à poluição por petróleo, devido às operações do Duto e Terminais Centro Sul (DTCS) e por efluentes domésticos. Identificou-se as espécies de ampitoídeos que ocorreram associadas ao S. furcatum estudando também a variação espacial e temporal da composição desta comunidade. A relação entre os hidrocarbonetos presentes em S. furcatum, a densidade e a estrutura populacional de Cymadusa filosa, espécie de ampitoídeo mais representativa da região, também foi investigada. Adicionalmente foi realizado o estudo do comportamento reprodutivo de C. filosa e avaliado o seu uso como bioindicador de qualidade da água, por meio de teste de toxidade aguda de curta duração. O material analisado foi proveniente de 7 coletas realizadas entre março de 2007 a novembro de 2008 em 7 costões rochosos. Foram quantificados os hidrocarbonetos alifáticos e policíclicos aromáticos derivados de petróleo tanto na alga como nos anfípodes, que compostos variaram em termos de concentração entre os meses amostrados. A alga possivelmente refletiu as concentrações de hidrocarbonetos presentes na água enquanto que os anfípodes podem ter assimilado via contato direto ou via alimentação. Foram identificadas seis espécies de anfípodes da Família Ampithoidae: Ampithoe sp., A. divisura, A. marcuzzi, A. ramondi, C. filosa e Sunampithoe pelagica que apresentaram diferenças significativas em termos de ocorrência, densidades e variação temporal. A população de C. filosa, de modo geral, foi dominada por jovens, possivelmente devido a elevada fecundidade das fêmeas. Ocorreu também desvio da razão sexual a favor das fêmeas, relacionado com o comportamento diferencial do macho ou devido a sua maior sensibilidade aos hidrocarbonetos presentes na alga. Tanto hidrocarbonetos alifáticos como policíclicos aromáticos influenciaram a densidade e estrutura de tamanho dos diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento de C. filosa. Foram observadas interações agonísticas entre machos e fêmeas de C.filosa, formação de tubos conjugais e a alimentação de filhotes ainda no marsúpio pela fêmea, caracterizando o cuidado parental desta espécie. Verificou-se ainda que o período de incubação dos ovos foi curto e a maturidade sexual ocorreu entre seis a sete semanas. Os resultados de toxidade aguda sugerem que C.filosa tem um potencial para uso em experimentos de ecotoxicologia marinha devido a elevada sensibilidade ao cobre e ao naftaleno, contudo estudos adicionais com outros xenobióticos são necessários para comprovação destes resultados e para validar o uso desta espécie no monitoramento dos ambientes marinhos / Abstract: The monitoring of marine environments can be made by evaluation of pollutant presence in organisms that are able to accumulate these substances. Thus, this study evaluated the occurrence of oil-derived hydrocarbons in the brown algae Sargassum furcatum and in its associated amphitoid amphipods found on rocky shores of the São Sebastião Channel, which is exposed to pollution by oil due to the operations of the Duct and Center Southern Terminal (DTCS) and domestic sewage. The species of amphitoid that occurred associated to S. furcatum were identified, and time and spatial variation of the composition of this community were also studied. The relationship between the hydrocarbons present in S. furcatum and the density and populational stucture of Cymadusa filosa, the most representative species of amphitoid in the area, was also investigated. Additionally a study on the reproductive behavior of C. filosa was conducted and its use as a bioindicator of water quality was evaluated through high toxicity test of short duration. The analysed material was obtained from 7 samples taken from march 2007 to november 2008 on 7 rocky shores. The oil-derived aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were quantified both in the algae and in the amphipods. Such compounds varied in concentration between the months of sampling. The algae possibly reflected the hydrocarbon concentrations present in the water while the amphipods may have assimilated hydrocarbons by direct contact or through the trophic chain. Six species of amphipods from the Ampithoidae family were identified: Ampithoe sp., A. divisura, A. marcuzzi, A. ramondi, C. filosa and Sunampithoe pelagica which presented significant differences in occurrence, density and temporal variation. The population of C. filosa in general was dominated by young individuals, possibly due to the high fecundity of the females, and there was a deviation of the sexual ratio favoring the females, related to the male?s differential behavior or due to its higher sensibility to hydrocarbons in the algae. Both aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons influenced the density and size structure of the different stages of development of C. filosa. Agonistic interactions between male and female C. filosa were observed, formation of share tubes and feeding of the offspring still in the pouch by the female, characterizing parental care by this species. It was also verified that the egg incubation period was short and sexual maturity occurred between six and seven weeks. The results of high toxicity suggest that C. filosa has potential for use in experiments of marine ecotoxicology due to its high sensibility to copper and naphthalene, however, additional studies with other xenonbiotics are necessary to confirm these results and to validate the use of this species in marine environments monitoring / Doutorado / Ecologia / Doutora em Ecologia

Les algues non-indigènes ont des impacts sur les communautés naturelles à une échelle mondiale: elles affectent la biodiversité et le fonctionnement des écosystèmes ainsi que les services écosystémiques, avec des conséquences économiques et sociales. Parmi les conséquences de ces introductions sont le déplacement d'espèces indigènes, des compétitions avec des espèces en danger et des effets sur les trajectoires éco-évolutives des espèces des communautés envahies. Bien que crucial pour anticiper le devenir des espèces non-indigènes, comprendre les mécanismes d'acclimatation et d'adaptation agissant post-introduction reste un challenge chez les algues. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié certains processus d'acclimatation, en particulier le rôle des bactéries associées, et leurs effets, en utilisant comme modèle d'étude Sargassum muticum. Cette algue brune originaire d'Asie, est une espèce emblématique parmi les algues introduites avec une présence du Mexique à l'Alaska en Amérique et du Maroc à la Norvège en Europe. Nous avons effectué une analyse bibliographique des traits et caractéristiques écologiques qui pourraient expliquer son succès. Nous avons ensuite montré que l'acidification n'a pas d'effets significatifs sur les bacteries associées, bien que des changements saisonniers du microbiome aient été observés. Enfin, nous avons utilisé un modèle de niche écologique, intégrant la phénologie, pour prédire la distribution de S. muticum sous deux scénarios de changement climatique. Selon nos résultats, d'ici 2100, la distribution de S. muticum devrait se déplacer vers le nord dans l'hémisphère nord avec des régressions dans certaines zones actuellement occupées. / Non-indigenous seaweeds impact natural communities worldwide, affecting biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem services, resulting in significant economic and social consequences. Among major impacts are the displacement of native species, a threat to endangered species, and effects on ecological and evolutionary processes within the invaded communities. While critical to predict the fate of introduced species, understanding the mechanisms of acclimation and adaptation following introduction represents a great challenge in seaweeds. In this thesis, we investigated some acclimation processes, with an emphasis on the role of associated microbiota, and examined their effects with Sargassum muticum as a model species. This brown seaweed native to Asia, is an emblematic invader among seaweeds, with a distribution now ranging from Mexico to Alaska in America and from Morocco to Norway in Europe. We first reviewed the competitive advantages and traits that may contribute to its invasiveness. We then showed that acidification has no significant effects on associated bacteria, although seasonal changes in the microbiome have been observed. Finally, we applied ecological niche modelling, but innovatively accounting for phenology, to project the distribution of S. muticum under two future climate change scenarios. According to our projections, by 2100 the distribution of S. muticum is expected to shift northwards along its European, North American and Asian distributions with partial retreat from the currently occupied areas.

Orientador: Fosca Pedini Pereira Leite / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-27T00:48:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Freitas_SarahLemes_M.pdf: 2210165 bytes, checksum: 950d850bccc596879b69b031fcaa0f84 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: A macrofauna associada a espécies de Sargassum é relativamente bem conhecida no litoral do Estado de São Paulo, porém os estudos foram realizados essencialmente em áreas continentais. Investigações sobre a malacofauna associada a Sargassum ainda são raras no país e não há comparações sobre a composição e variação das comunidades de moluscos associados a esta alga parda, em relação a faces continentais e oceânicas de ilhas. Desse modo, neste estudo, procurou-se conhecer a composição, riqueza, diversidade e distribuição geográfica dessa fauna associada a Sargassum, relacionando pontos voltados para o continente e para o oceano da ilha de São Sebastião, São Paulo, de modo a contribuir para o conhecimento da biodiversidade. A biomassa e o comprimento do Sargassum, assim como a epibiose e a composição das espécies, variaram entre as praias estudadas e entre os períodos de amostragem, porém não houve diferença entre as faces continental e oceânica. Porém, a face oceânica apresentou maiores valores de densidade de espécies de moluscos por grama de alga. A maioria dos indivíduos ocorreu no último período de amostragem, o qual foi realizado após dias de chuvas e possuiu temperaturas mais elevadas, podendo este ser um período de recrutamento de espécies, com melhores condições ambientais para reprodução e sobrevivência das espécies. A epibiose mostrou-se ser muito importante para o estabelecimento das espécies e contribuiu para valores maiores de densidade de indivíduos associados. No geral, as espécies encontradas são comuns a bancos de Sargassum, já tendo sido registradas em outros estudos. A maioria dos moluscos coletados foi composta por juvenis, mostrando que o Sargassum tem importante papel como berçário de espécies de moluscos comuns aos costões rochosos. Tais espécies encontram nesses ambientes melhores condições de sobrevivência nas fases juvenis / Abstract: The macrofauna associated with Sargassum species is relatively well known on the coast of São Paulo, in studies conducted mainly in continental shore areas. Investigations on the molluscan fauna associated with Sargassum are still rare in Brazil and there are no studies comparing the composition and variation of molluscan communities associated with this brown alga in relation to continental and oceanic islands faces. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the composition, richness, diversity and geographic distribution of these communities, comparing areas facing the continent and open ocean areas on the island of São Sebastião, São Paulo, to contribute with biodiversity knowledge. The biomass and sizes of Sargassum varied between faces and sampling periods, as well as epibiosis degree. The ocean side showed higher density of molluscans, and degrees of epibiosis. Most molluscs occurred in the last sampling period, with higher temperatures, which may be a period of species recruitment, with better environmental conditions for reproduction and survival. However, although the studied sampling periods presented differences in molluscan density, the similarity in species composition among sampling periods was high. This result suggests that the distance between the sampling periods studied not assured enough to develop that significantly distinct assemblage spatial variation. The studied faces also shared, in general, the same species but in different densities. Epibiosis proved to be very important for the establishment of associated molluscan species, and contributes to higher diversity. Overall, the species found are commonly found in Sargassum beds, and were recorded in other studies. Most were small species or juveniles of large and sessile ones, suggesting that Sargassum beds play an important role in the early stages of development of molluscan species. The present study highlights the importance of phytal systems as nursery by species common in rocky shores, since these species may find better living conditions in these environments during their juvenile stages / Mestrado / Biodiversidade Animal / Mestra em Biologia Animal

As macroalgas desempenham importante papel no ambiente marinho como produtores primários. Elas ocupam diversas zonas do costão rochoso, entre elas, o mediolitoral que é a mais estudada devido às rápidas mudanças nos fatores ambientais (temperatura, dessecação, irradiância, salinidade, entre outros) direcionados pela dinâmica das marés. Esse dinamismo, fez com que os organismos desenvolvessem defesas que garantissem a sua sobrevivência nesses ambientes. E essas defesas, na maioria das vezes química, também possuem utilidade e aplicações biotecnológicas, pois as algas são fonte de novas substâncias e bioatividade com importância nutricional, médica ou farmacêutica. Como forma de reconhecer o potencial químico e bioativo ainda subexplorado nas algas brasileiras, o presente trabalho avaliou o potencial, antioxidante, antiviral, citotóxico, aspectos da fisiologia e a caracterização de ácidos graxos de três espécies de macroalgas do nordeste brasileiro: Sargassum vulgare (Ochrophyta), Palisada flagellifera (Rhodophyta), e Ulva fasciata (Chlorophyta) e seus potenciais foram testados para diferentes extratos. As espécies apresentaram bom potencial inibitório da enzima transcriptase reversa do vírus HIV e essa bioatividade se mostrou mais promissora, pois os extratos apresentaram baixa citotoxicidade frente ao crustáceo Artemia salina. O potencial antioxidante foi considerado bom para todas as espécies tanto para os extratos com finalidade química, tanto para os extratos com finalidade fisiológica, e este último, aliado às repostas fisiológicas de constituição pigmentar e proteínas sugerem que as algas desse estudo possuem uma boa aclimatação ao ambiente, pois não foi notada expressivas variações no seu conteúdo pigmentar. Quanto à caracterização de ácidos graxos, P. fagellifera se mostrou a maior fonte de ácidos graxos poliinsaturados (AGPIs) entre as espécies estudadas, o que faz dela um potencial recurso para obtenção de AGPIs com importância na suplementação alimentar como possíveis nutracêuticos e de importância médica / The macroalgae plays an important role in the marine environment as primary producers. They occupy different parts of the rocky shore, among them the midlittoral which is the most studied due to rapid changes in environmental factors (temperature, desiccation, irradiance, salinity, etc.) influenced by the dynamics of the tides. This dynamism, made the organisms developed defenses that guarantee their survival in these environments. These defenses, mostly chemical, also have utility and biotechnological applications because the algae are a source of new substances and bioactivity with nutritional importance, medical or pharmaceutical. As a way to recognize the chemical and bioactive potential still underexploited in Brazilian seaweed, this study evaluated the potential, antioxidant, antiviral, cytotoxic, aspects of physiology and fatty acids characterization of seaweeds in northeastern Brazil Sargassum vulgare (Ochrophyta) Palisada flagellifera (Rhodophyta) and Ulva fasciata (Chlorophyta) tested for different extracts. The species showed good potential as inhibitors of the enzyme reverse transcriptase of HIV and this bioactivity was more promising because the extracts showed low cytotoxicity against the crustacean Artemia salina. The antioxidant potential was considered good for all species for both the extracts with chemical purposes, for both the extracts with physiological purpose, and the latter coupled to the physiological responses of pigment composition and proteins suggest that the algae of this study have good acclimation environment, it was noted significant variations in their pigment content. The characterization of fatty acids, P. fagellifera showed the largest source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) among the studied species, making it a potential resource for obtaining PUFAs of importance in the food supplementation as possible nutraceutical and medical importance

Surges of Sargassum have become more severe and at the time of writing the largest surge yet is set to hit the Caribbean islands, affecting tourism and marine life negatively. Tourism is Grenada’s single handedly largest economic sector, which is why it is important to research the use of Sargassum. Furthermore, for its fertiliser needs, Grenada relies largely on importing inorganic fertiliser, which has become more expensive in recent years. Sargassum as feedstock for biogas digesters and utilising the digestate as fertiliser could be a viable option, but challenges include high heavy metal content and low concentration of nutrients compared to inorganic fertiliser. The aim of this project is to examine heavy metals contents in digestate derived from Sargassum and gaining knowledge about the current agricultural situation, with regards to fertiliser, through interviewing farmers and relevant political figures. The results from the heavy metal analysis of the liquid digestate showed that the concentration of both arsenic and cadmium were below the average for commercial organic fertilisers. However, further testing is considered to be required to conclude whether the product is suitable to use. Gathered from the interviews was that many farmers were concerned about the impact inorganic fertiliser had on the land, however, the choice of fertiliser was, in general heavily dependent on which type was available. Sargassum-based digestate could be viable on the island but challenges of reducing, transporting and separating heavy metals from the digestate have to be solved making it difficult for the Sargassum to be cost-effective. Furthermore, the farmers were very clear that they wanted a product which was safe to use. / Sargassumblomningar har blivit allvarligare och i skrivande stund väntas den största vågen hittills att drabba de karibiska öarna, vilket har en negativ påverkan på turismen och det marina livet. Turismen är Grenadas enskilt största ekonomiska sektor, och därför är det viktigt att undersöka användningsområdet för Sargassum. Dessutom är Grenada, för sitt gödselbehov, till stor del beroende av import av oorganiskt gödningsmedel, vilket har ökat i pris de senaste åren. Sargassum som inmatning för biogasrötningsanläggningar och användning av rötrester som gödningsmedel skulle kunna vara ett lönsamt alternativ, men utmaningarna är bland annat det höga innehållet av tungmetaller och den låga koncentrationen av näringsämnen jämfört med oorganiska gödningsmedel. Syftet med detta projekt är att undersöka innehållet av tungmetaller i digestat från Sargassum och att få kunskap om den nuvarande jordbrukssituationen gällande gödningsmedel genom att intervjua jordbrukare och relevanta politiker. Resultatet av den tungmetallanalys som genomfördes av det vätskeformiga digestatet visade ett innehåll av kadmium och arsenik som låg under medelvärdet för kommersiella organiska gödningsmedel. Däremot är vidare testning är nödvändig för att säkerställa att produkten är lämplig att använda. Intervjustudien visade att många jordbrukare var oroade över hur oorganiska gödselmedel påverkar marken, men att valet av gödselmedel i allmänhet var starkt beroende av vilken typ av gödningsmedel som fanns tillgängligt. Sargassumbaserat digestat skulle kunna vara lönsamt för användning på ön, men problemen med reducering, transport och separering av tungmetaller från digestatet måste lösas, vilket gör det svårt för Sargassum att vara kostnadseffektivt. Bönderna var slutligen tydliga med att digestatet från Sargassum behövde generera en ökning eller likvärdig produktion av deras grödor.

This thesis examines the interactions of two non-indigenous algae, Mazzaella japonica and Sargassum muticum, where they co-exist and their impacts on native species in their recipient habitats. Field and lab experiments were conducted to determine if they impact native seaweed communities, marine invertebrates, and supralittoral regions. In situ studies conducted in areas where Mazzaella japonica exists without Sargassum muticum found that removal of M. japonica allowed for an increase of native seaweed abundance and richness growing in fully subtidal regions, but had no detectable impact on native seaweeds growing in intertidal regions. Additionally, at the intertidal site, removal of M. japonica resulted in the recruitment of S. muticum. In regions where the two non-indigenous seaweeds co-exist, removal of both non-indigenous seaweeds negatively impacted native seaweeds. The magnitude of this negative impact was greater in subtidal compared to intertidal regions. M. japonica removal had a greater impact on native seaweed recovery than did S. muticum removal in areas of co-existence. Removal of Mazzaella japonica also allowed for a significant increase in percent cover of Sargassum muticum at both sites where these two seaweeds co-exist. An increase in percent cover of M. japonica was found at the subtidal site when S. muticum was removed. Though both species increased when reprieved from competition with the other non-indigenous species, removal of M. japonica had a far greater influence on the increase in cover of S. muticum. This suggests that M. japonica is the dominant competitor in the ecosystem outcompeting S. muticum. Field surveys found Mazzaella japonica was the dominant wrack species washing up on beaches in Baynes Sound. Though Sargassum muticum is also a component of the wrack, it has a disproportionately large influence as a spatial subsidy on beach habitats. S. muticum decayed and decomposed at a faster rate than M. japonica and all native seaweeds tested except for Chondracanthus exasperatus. Additionally, S. muticum was colonized by significantly more invertebrates than either M. japonica or Fucus spp. Results from these studies are intended to provide information for resource managers making policy decisions regarding the fate of these two non-indigenous species. / Graduate / 0329

Pelagic Sargassum was used to determine the effects of habitat architecture for one species of shrimp (Leander tenuicornis) and two species of fish (Stephanolepis hispidus and Histrio histrio). Inter-thallus spacing (low, medium, and high) and depth (shallow versus deep) were manipulated independently to test whether the spatial components of habitat architecture. Two differing habitats (Sargassum versus seagrass species) were tested for the structural component of habitat architecture. There were no significant results for inter-thallus spacing experiments for L. tenuicornis and S. hispidus. H histrio selected habitats with medium inter-thallus spacing in two treatments. Large individual H. histrio contributed mostly to the significant effects. All three species selected habitats with a greater depth aspect. Finally, L. tenuicornis and H. histrio selected habitats with greater structural complexity (i.e., Sargassum). These results demonstrate clearly that habitat architecture of Sargassum influences habitat selection by these shrimp and fishes. / by Chelsea O. Bennice. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Master / Master of Philosophy

En France et Indonésie, Sargassum est une espèce abondante mais elle algue n’a pas encore été exploitée de façon optimale. Sargassum contient de nombreux métabolites primaires ainsi que des composés bioactifs, dont les phlorotannins, ayant une large gamme de propriétés pharmacologiques intéressantes à valoriser. L’hétérogénéité et la complexité de la paroi cellulaire des algues réduisent fortement l’efficacité d’extraction conventionnelle. Cette étude a eu trois principaux objectifs (1) la caractérisation de la composition biochimique de Sargassum et ses variations saisonnières, (2) l'extraction solide-liquide et (3) l'extraction assistée par enzymes des phlorotannins et l’étude de leurs activités biologiques. Dans cette étude, les minéraux de Sargassum représentent d’une valeur importance avec une teneur qui atteint 33% suivi par les protéines avec 24% de la matière sèche. Les sucres ne représentent que 13% de la matière sèche. La composition biochimique de Sargassum, comme pour la plupart des algues, est fortement affectée par les saisons et est liée au cycle de vie de l’algue. La saisonnalité affecte également la production de phlorotannins. L’étude des différents procédés d’extraction montre que les rendements sont plus faibles pour une extraction solide-liquide traditionnelle (5 à 24% de la matière sèche de l'algue) par rapport à l'extraction assistée par enzyme (21 à 38% de la matière sèche de l'algue). L’extraction assistée par enzymes augmente le rendement d’extraction des polyphénols par rapport à l'extraction solide-liquide. Les extraits obtenus par extraction assistée par enzymes présentent une forte activité antiradicalaire. / In France and Indonesia, Sargassum is quite abundant yet this alga has not been optimally exploited. Sargassum contains macro and micro molecules and also bioactive compounds, the most known is phlorotannins, showing a wide range of pharmacological properties. Therefore, it is interesting to further valorize this alga. The heterogeneity and complexity of algal cell wall strongly reduces the extraction efficiency application of conventional extraction. Subjects of interest in this study were to characterize the seasonal variation of Sargassum biochemical composition and to extract phlorotannins using conventional and alternative method, i.e. solid-liquid and enzyme- assisted extraction. In this study, minerals represented a significant value with a content reaching 33% followed by proteins with 24% of algal dry material. In the contrary, sugars showed only 13% of algal dry material. Further, the biochemical composition of Sargassum, like most algae, was highly affected by the seasons and related to Sargassum life cycle. In terms of polyphenol compounds in Sargassum, season might be the most influential factor but suitable methods of extraction determine the efficiency to collect these compounds from Sargassum. Solid-liquid extraction, in certain extent, yielded lower (ranging from 5 to 24% of dry algal material) than the enzyme-assisted extraction (ranging from 21 to 38% of dry algal material). Concerning the polyphenol content of Sargassum extracted with these two methods, enzyme-assisted extraction, in certain extent, had higher content than the solid-liquid extraction. Enzymatic extracts showed a strong antiradical activity.