Codium fragile (Suringar) Harlot (Chlorophyta, Codiales) is a siphonous marine alga of extensive distribution and varied habitat. Ordinarily It is described as reproducing sexually, by fusion of anisogamous gametes produced on separate individuals. However, there are populations reported which consist exclusively of female plants reproducing by parthenogenetic germination of female gametes. Three aspects of the biology of a population of Codium fragile from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, were studied. (1) Zygotes and germlings were obtained in cultures in the laboratory and their growth and early development were observed. No utricles were produced by young germlings, even after three to four months in culture; the existence of a "juvenile filamentous stage" without utricles is suggested. The possibility of parthenogenetic development of female gametes was investigated and it was found that, in the material studied, zygotes and germlings are produced only in the presence of both male and female plants. (2) Apical segments of C. fragile 2.5, 3.5 and 4.5 cm in length were treated with 5 mg/l IAA. IAA-treated 4.5 cm segments showed a slight but significant increase in growth over controls. No such increase was found in IAA-treated 2.5 and 3.5 cm segments. (3) The mitotic cycle and the periodicity of mitosis in germlings in culture were investigated. In most respects mitosis in C. fragile resembles "normal" mitosis. However, a persistent nucleolus-like body was observed during all stages of division. Attempts to ascertain the chemical nature of this body were unsuccessful. Experiments on the periodicity of mitosis disclosed a series of peaks of mitotic activity which appear to be unrelated to the time of onset of light or darkness. Mitosis within any one germling is asynchronous. / Science, Faculty of / Botany, Department of / Graduate

Placophora binderi can be described as an "obligate epiphyte" as it does not respond well to any culture conditions and is found growing only on other algae in the natural environment. This habit may have arisen as a response to the best available substrate in a harsh environment (Harlin 1971; Moss 1982). Any nutrient transfer which may occur between Placophora binderi and its basiphyte, usually various species of Codium, is probably by diffusion as rhizoids do not penetrate the basiphyte cells but simply lie between the Codium utricles providing better anchorage. A triphasic life history exists with isomorphic gametophyte, carposporophyte and tetrasporophyte generations. The male and female gametophytes are dioecious. This study confirms Scagel's (1953) observations for the development of the juvenile, mature and reproductive thallus. The juvenile develops as an erect polysiphonous thallus which produces a prostrate lobe as an adventitious branch from the basal segments. This prostrate lobe develops into the dorsiventrally flattened mature thallus. Reproductive structures are produced on erect branches which are initiated at the mature thallus margins. The gametophyte develops on evanescent trichoblasts produced on erect reproductive branches while the tetra sporophyte develops within these erect branches. The female gametophyte has a four-celled carpogonial branch with an auxiliary cell forming after fertilisation from the supporting cell. At the electron microscope level several vesicle types were seen in the reproductive organs. In the male, spermatial vesicles are produced which probably aid in release of the spermatia (Kugrens 1980). These are also visible under the light microscope. In carposporogenesis and tetrasporogenesis, three vesicle types are produced. Striated vesicles appear for a short while during the early stages and probably function as protein stores. Fibrillar vesicles are large and visible under the light microscope. These probably act as carbohydrate storage organelles (Triemer and Vasconcelos 1979; Kugrens and West 1973c; Tripodi 1971). Cored vesicles appear late in sporogenesis and probably aid in adhesion once the spores have settled (Chamberlain and Evans 1973; Wetherbee 1978). Carpospores follow the "serial release" type pattern observed in Polysiphonia (Boney 1978). Tetraspores are released singly via a rupture in the tetrasporangial wall as in Ceramium rubrum (Chamberlain and Evans 1973). Both carpospores and tetraspores germinate in the typical bi-polar Ceramium-type pattern described by Dixon (1973)

Detrital subsidy from highly productive kelp beds and forests to adjacent habitats represents a major form of connectivity between coastal ecosystems that regulates regional patterns of community organization and production. In this thesis, I investigated environmental and biological factors that influence the rate of detrital production in Nova Scotian kelp beds, with emphasis on the role of invasive species in altering these dynamics. The rate of blade erosion of the dominant kelp species (Saccharina latissima and Laminaria digitata) increased significantly with the level of encrustation by the invasive bryozoan Membranipora membranacea and the extent of grazing damage by the native snail Lacuna vincta, and by increased water temperature and site exposure. The rate of detrital production (as dry mass) ranged from 0.5 to 1.71 kg m-2 y-1 across 5 sites, and increased linearly with kelp bed biomass. Spatial variation in the total level of grazing damage on kelp blades by L. vincta was explained in part by a negative relationship with site exposure, and the distribution of grazing along blades was regulated by kelp growth rate and the associated production of grazing-deterrent polyphenolics. Grazing damage by L. vincta that exceeded 0.5 to 1.0% of blade area caused increased rates of erosion during heavy wave action associated with a passing hurricane. The maximum stress before breakage, toughness, and extensibility of blade tissues decreased with the degree of encrustation by M. membranacea or grazing damage by L. vincta, which cause degradation and removal of the outer cell layers of kelp tissues, resulting in stress concentration and breakage at lower force applications than required to break undamaged tissues. The invasive green alga Codium fragile and S. latissima differed with respect to nutritional quality and changes in biochemical composition that occurred over the course of degradation on a sandy bottom adjacent to a kelp bed. Macrofaunal communities colonizing detrital deposits responded to these differences. These findings demonstrate that invasive species can alter the quantity and quality of detritus produced from subtidal kelp beds, and that their community-level effects can extend well beyond the invaded habitats via the export of detritus.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:03:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EduardoHCF.pdf: 473372 bytes, checksum: 2fca55fdea3773bfb6942b7901966772 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-07-07 / Since the first description of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds, the biological activities of these compounds have been evaluated under different aspects and experimental procedures. Among the broad biological activities presented by seaweed polysaccharides, anticoagulant action appears as a promising function. In this present study we have obtained sulfated polysaccharides from the green seaweed Codium isthmocladium by proteolytic digestion, followed by separation into five fractions (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1.2) by sequential acetone precipitation. The chemical analyses have demonstrated that all fractions are composed mainly by sulfated polysaccharides. The anticoagulant activity of these fractions was determined by activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time test (PT) using citrate normal human plasma. None fraction has shown anticoagulant activity by PT test. Furthermore, all of them have shown anticoagulant activity by aPTT test. These results indicated that the molecular targets of these sulfated polysaccharides are mainly in the intrinsic via of the coagulation cascade. Agarose gel electrophoresis in 1,3-diaminopropane acetate buffer, pH 9.0, stained with 0.1% toluidine blue showed the presence of two or three bands in several fractions while the fraction 0.9 showed a single spot. By anion exchange chromatography, the acid polysaccharides from the 0.9 acetone fraction were separated into two new fractions eluted respectively with 2.0 and 3.0 M NaCl. These compounds showed a molecular weight of 6.4 and 7.4 kDa respectively. Chemical analyses and infrared spectroscopy showed that Gal 1 and Gal 2 are sulfated homogalactans and differ one from the other in degree and localization of sulfate groups. aPPT test demonstrated that fractions 2,0 and 3,0M (Gal1 and Gal 2, respectively) have anticoagulant activity. This is the first time that anticoagulant sulfated homogalatans have been isolated from green algae. To prolong the coagulation time to double the baseline value in the aPTT, the required amount of sulfated galactan 1 (6,3mg) was similar to low molecular heparin Clexane?, whereas only 0,7mg of sulfated galactan 2 was needed to obtain the same effect. Sulfated galactan 2 in high doses (250mg) induces platelet aggregation. These results suggest that these galactans from C. isthmocladum have a potential application as an anticoagulant drug / Desde a primeira descri??o de polissacar?deos sulfatados em algas marinhas, as atividades biol?gicas destes compostos foram avaliadas sob diferentes aspectos e procedimentos experimentais. Dentre as diversas atividades biol?gicas apresentadas pelos polissacar?deos de algas marinhas, a a??o do anticoagulante aparece como sendo uma fun??o promissora. Neste presente estudo foram obtidas cinco fra??es de polissacar?deos sulfatados da alga Codium isthmocladium (F0.3, F0.5, F0.7, F0.9 e F1.2) , atrav?s de prote?lise seguida de fracionamento com volumes crescentes de acetona. An?lises qu?micas demonstraram que todas as fra??es s?o compostas por polissacar?deos sulfatados. A atividade anticoagulante destas fra??es cet?nicas foram determinadas por testes de tempo de tromboplastina parcial ativada (aPTT) e tempo de protrombina (PT), utilizando plasma humano normal citratado. Nenhuma fra??o apresentou atividade via teste de PT. No entanto todas as fra??es demonstraram atividade anticoagulante para teste de aPPT. Estes resultados indicam que o(s) seus alvo(s) molecular(es) esta(?o) localizado(s) principalmente na via intr?nseca da cascata de coagula??o. Eletroforese em gel de agarose demonstrou a presen?a de 2 ou 3 bandas em varias fra??es cet?nicas, enquanto a F0.9, somente uma banda. Os polissacar?deos da F 0.9, quando submetidos a cromatografia da troca i?nica, foram separados em duas novas fra??es elu?das com 2,0 e 3,0 M de NaCl. Estes compostos apresentaram um peso molecular de 6.4 e 7.4 kDa respectivamente. Analises qu?micas e espectroscopia de infravermelho das Gal 1 e Gal 2 demonstraram que essas s?o homogalactanas sulfatadas e que diferenciavam uma da outra apenas no grau e localiza??o dos grupamentos sulfato. Teste de aPTT mostrou que as fra??es 2,0 e 3,0 M (Gal 1 e Gal 2, respectivamente) possuem atividade anticoagulante. Esta ? a primeira vez que homogalactanas sulfatadas anticoagulantes s?o extra?das de macroalgas verdes. A massa necess?ria de Gal 1 (6,3mg) para prolongar o tempo normal de coagula??o em duas vezes, via teste de aPTT, foi semelhante a Clexane?, no entanto somente 0,7mg da Gal 2 s?o necess?rios para se obter o mesmo efeito. A Gal 2 em altas doses (250mg) induziu a agrega??o plaquet?ria. Estes resultados sugerem que as galactanas da alga C. isthmocladum tem potencial aplica??o como f?rmacos anticoagulantes

To gain an understanding of the ecology of drift algae in the Indian River Lagoon system along the east coast of central Florida, four questions were addressed: 1) What is the composition and rate of accumulation of drift? 2) How much movement and turnover occurs within drift accumulations? 3) Do growth rates differ for drift versus attached algae? 4) Is there a difference in photosynthetic performance in drift versus attached algal species? Manipulative field and laboratory experiments were conducted to address these questions with the green macroalga Codium decorticatum and the red macroalga Gracilaria tikvahiae. Changes in pigment concentration and biomass were used as indicators of acclimation from an attached to drift state in Gracilaria tikvahiae and Codium decorticatum. Short-term physiological changes as demonstrated by electron transport rate (ETR) were also used as indications of acclimation from an attached to drift state in C. decorticatum. Composition and rate of accumulation of drift varied by season. While both transport and turnover of drift occurred, turnover within drift accumulations occurred at low rates and was significantly lower in the spring during decreased flow rates. There were no significant differences in growth or pigment concentrations in drift versus attached G. tikvahiae or C. decorticatum. In addition, there were no apparent physiological acclimations to a drift state in C. decorticatum.

Trois modèles invasifs à large répartition en Europe, le long d'un gradient latitudinal Norvège-Portugal, ont été choisis : Sargassum muticum, Codium fragile et Gracilaria vermiculophylla. Cette thèse a pour objectif l'étude de la phénologie, de l'écophysiologie et du métabolome de ces macrophytes invasifs face à une variation de facteurs environnementaux 1) à une échelle locale, 2) à l'échelle du gradient latitudinal (en lien avec le changement climatique global) ainsi que l'étude 3) des voies de valorisation possibles des métabolites de stress par bio-inspiration. Le gradient latitudinal, se traduisant par un gradient thermique, permet de mimer le réchauffement climatique car les conséquences de ce changement climatique sur les espèces en milieu naturel ne sont généralement appréciables qu'à l'échelle de dizaines d'années. Les suivis de l'écologie, dumétabolome ainsi que des impacts potentiels de ces espèces à une échelle locale en France, a permis d'étudier le développement et le cycle de vie des espèces. En particulier, G. vermiculophylla se caractérise par une phénologie spécifique (avec la prépondérance de petits fragments végétatifs, <3cm) en Rade de Brest et par une tolérance accrue à l'envasement jusqu'à 12 cm de profondeur en acclimatant son métabolome tout en maintenant une physiologie dormante. Cette espèce ingénieur impacte en profondeur l'écosystème vaseux de la Rade. Le suivi le long du gradient latitudinal a permis d'illustrer la plasticité phénologique des espèces et notamment un potentiel invasif contrasté de C. fragile entre les différentes latitudes. Lors de marée basse de vives eaux, les espèces présentent une acclimatation de leur photo-physiologie en fonction de la latitude avec la mise en évidence d'une photoinhibition du PSll, lié au stress engendré par les conditions environnementales.Enfin, ce travail a illustré les propriétés multifonctionnelles d'extraits enrichis en composés phénoliques, présentant des activités antioxydantes mais également photoprotectrices ou ostéogéniques, soulignant l'émergence de voies de valorisation originales par bio-inspiration pour divers secteurs tels que la cosmétologie et les biomatériaux en santé humaine. / Three model species with a large distribution along European coasts, along a latitudinal gradient from Norway to Portugal was chosen: Sargassum muticum, Codium fragile and Gracilaria vermiculophylla. The aims of this PhD thesis were to study the phenology, ecophysiology and the metabolom of these non-native marine macrophytes and their ability to cope with a variation of environmental factors 1) at a population scale, 2) along the latitudinal gradient (in relation with the global climatic change) and to propose 3) bio-inspired molecules for industrial purposes. The latitudinal gradient corresponding to a thermic gradient, allows to imitate the global warming as climatic change ¡mpacts are most of the time only visible at decennial scale.Monitorings of ecology, metabolome and potential impacts of these macroalgae, at a population scale, allowed to study the development and life cycle of these models. In particular, G. vermiculophylla exhibited a specific phenology (with a majority of small vegetative fragments, <3cm) in the Bay of Brest and a highly tolerance to burial until 12 cm depth in the sediment by acclimatizing its metabolome together with the ability to maintain a dormancy physiology. This engineer species modifies deeply muddy shores of this Bay. Latitunal gradients's monitoring highlighted the phenological plasticity and a contrasted invasive potential of C.fragile between latitudes. During low spring tides, species exhibited an acclimation of their photophysiology between latitudes with photoinhibition process related to induce environmental stress. Furthermore, this work showed the multifunctional properties of polyphenols enriched extracts with antioxidant, photoprotective or osteogenic activities, highlighting the emergence of original bio-inspired pathways for cosmetic or biomaterial applications.