Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2008. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-81). Also available via the World Wide Web.

As flutuações de temperatura no ambiente marinho, decorrentes de processos naturais e de atividades antrópicas, como a flutuação das marés, o resfriamento de usinas e o aquecimento global afetam a dinâmica ecológica e as respostas fisiológicas de organismos marinhos, especialmente das macroalgas bentônicas. Macroalgas que ocorrem nos limites das faixas entre-marés podem estar sujeitas a fortes variações de temperatura em curto-prazo, como por exemplo: Sargassum e Pyropia. Sob aquela perspectiva, o objetivo deste projeto foi prover subsídios para a compreensão do efeito da temperatura e dos mecanismos de tolerância e sensibilidade das espécies do mediolitoral paulista Sargassum stenophyllum (Fucales, Ochrophyta) e Pyropia spiralis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) mediante a análise da performance fotossintetizante, variação na composição química e respostas antioxidantes, além de fornecer informação sobre o seu potencial como produto funcional. As respostas das algas modelos foram avaliadas sob temperaturas de 15, 20, 25 (controle), 30 e 35 ºC ao longo de sete dias, em condições controladas de laboratório. As espécies de estudo mantiveram proporções semelhantes na dissipação de energia e taxa de crescimento, e poucas alterações no perfil químico (p. ex. pigmentos, carboidratos, carotenoides e aminoácidos) entre os 15 e 30 ºC, o qual pode ser compreendido como faixa de tolerância. Em contraste, existiu sensibilidade no talo das macroalgas estudadas na temperatura de 35 ºC, tendo diminuição na fotossíntese e crescimento desde o terceiro dia do período experimental. Em alta temperatura, acima de 30 ºC, tanto os filoides de S. stenophyllum quanto o talo da P. spiralis podem ter liberado substâncias químicas, como substâncias fenólicas, evidenciado pela mudança de cor na água do mar. Em condição de baixa temperatura (15 ºC), P. spiralis mostrou acúmulo de aminoácidos tipo-micosporinas. Em termos gerais, as espécies de estudo são promissoras como produto funcional envolvido na área de alimentação devido à sua composição nutricional e propriedades antioxidantes / Temperature fluctuations in the marine environment, due to natural processes and anthropogenic activities, caused by tidal fluctuation, cooling of energy power plants, and global warming affect the ecological dynamics and physiological responses of marine organisms, mainly in benthic macroalgae. Seaweeds inhabiting the boundaries of the intertidal zone may be subjected to strong short-term temperature variations, such as Sargassum and Pyropia. On this perspective, the aim of this project was to provide subsidies for understand the effect of temperature and the mechanisms of tolerance and sensitivity of the intertidal species Sargassum stenophyllum (Fucales, Ochrophyta) and Pyropia spiralis (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from São Paulo, through the analysis of photosynthetic performance, chemical variation, and antioxidant responses, as well as, to provide information about its potential as functional product. The responses of the studied seaweeds were evaluated under temperatures of 15, 20, 25 (control), 30 and 35 °C over seven days in laboratory controlled conditions. The species displayed similar proportions in energy dissipation and growth rate, and few changes in the chemical profile (e.g. pigments, carbohydrates, carotenoids, and amino acids) between 15 and 30 ºC, which can be identificated as thermal tolerance range. In contrast, algae were sensitive at 35 ºC, with decrease in photosynthesis and growth since the third day of the experimental period. Under high temperature, above 30 °C, S. stenophyllum phylloids and P. spiralis thalli might have released chemical compounds, such as phenolic compounds, evidenced by color change of the seawater. Under low temperature condition (15 °C), P. spiralis showed accumulation of mycosporin-like amino acids. In general, the studied species are promising as a functional product involved in the feed area due to its nutritional composition and antioxidant properties

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 128-138). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS) is a rapid, automated analytical technique that is used for chemical and biological characterisation of organisms. It has been limited in its use outside the discipline of microbiology and has rarely been applied to the analysis of multi-cellular organisms. This study aimed to investigate the potential of using PyMS as a routine analytical tool to resolve problems in marine algal systematics. The technical constraints of PyMS were also examined. The effect of sample concentration proved to be an important consideration for the production of meaningful results. PyMS analysis of macroalgae from the order Fucales demonstrated that this technique was robust to the influence of environmental variability and challenged the assertion that it is limited to use as a phenotypic technique only. Characterisation of samples was also possible at the sub-species level. Experimentally induced variation among cultures of the diatom Skeletonema costatum, including silicate limitation, low salinity and reduced irradiance, was detectable by PyMS. PyMS is subject to technical limitations including day to day variability among spectral data and does not produce a permanent classification. This study showed that PyMS is a highly discriminatory, sensitive technique that is capable of resolving chemical and biological variability among marine algae.

Summary in English. / Bibliography: pages 146-169. / The biology, population dynamics, and the environmental tolerances (temperature and light) in laboratory culture, of the endemic intertidal South African fucoid Bifurcaria brassicaeformis (Kütz) Barton have been investigated. A general description is included of the morphology and anatomy, and comparisons made with that of other species in the genus. Studies on plants collected from contrasting habitats on the lowshore and from mid-shore pools revealed that while cortical thickness of vegetative uprights were similar for both habitats, medullary diameters were generally higher, corresponding to generally thicker uprights in the low-shore. Observations on the method of zygote attachment revealed that attachment of the species resembles that of the European Bifurcaria and Halidrys siliguosa which both also display delayed rhizoidal development and initially attach by means of a mucilage secretion of the zygote wall. Observations on receptacle anatomy revealed that size of conceptacles increase from the apex to the base of a receptacle.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Canterbury, 2009. / Typescript (photocopy). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 84-94). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Durvillaea, a kelp genus occurring only in the Southern Hemisphere, presents an ideal system for studies of marine connectivity and postglacial recolonisation. Durvillaea contains five currently-recognised species, four of which are non-buoyant. Whereas all non-buoyant species are restricted to the south-western Pacific, the sole buoyant species (D. antarctica) has a far wider, circumpolar distribution, strongly suggesting that long-distance dispersal in D. antarctica is achieved by rafting. This contrast in predicted dispersal ability among Durvillaea species provides an opportunity for natural phylogeographic comparisons, thereby assessing the effectiveness of rafting as a long-distance dispersal mechanism. Additionally, the inability of D. antarctica to survive in ice-affected areas, combined with its broad distribution, make it an ideal candidate for studies of postglacial recolonisation. Phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships within Durvillaea were here assessed using sequence data from mitochondrial (COI), chloroplast (rbcL) and nuclear (18S) DNA. Genetic data were obtained from more than 500 specimens, including representatives from across the geographic range of each recognised species of Durvillaea. Mitochondrial data for Durvillaea were found to be highly phylogenetically informative, with 117 variable sites observed over a 629 bp fragment of COI. Chloroplast and nuclear markers, on the other hand, showed less variation than COI, but nonetheless contributed useful phylogenetic information. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity were observed across the range of D. potatorum in Australia, with genetic homogeneity throughout western sites versus relatively high levels of diversity in eastern populations. Based on these results, I hypothesise that D. potatorum recolonised much of the western part of its range postglacially, perhaps being entirely eliminated from western Tasmania during the last glacial period by altered oceanographic systems. Additionally, 'western' and 'eastern' D. potatorum haplotypes formed deeply-divergent clades, likely reflecting geographic isolation on either side of the Bassian Isthmus during Pleistocene marine regressions. Substantial genetic diversity was observed across the range of the circumpolar species D. antarctica. Within New Zealand, phylogenetic and morphological analyses of D. antarctica indicate that two morphotypes ('cape' and 'thonged' forms) likely represent reproductively isolated species, with the 'cape' lineage apparently restricted to southern New Zealand. Whereas the 'cape' lineage showed little genetic variation throughout its range, the 'thonged' lineage exhibited marked phylogeographic structure, with high genetic diversity and a clear north - south genetic disjunction delineated by the Canterbury Bight. On a broader, circumpolar scale, D. antarctica showed contrasting patterns of genetic diversity, with high levels of variation in low-latitude regions (e.g., continental coasts of New Zealand and Chile), versus near-homogeneity at high, subantarctic latitudes. These phylogeographic contrasts strongly suggest that D. antarctica recolonised much of the subantarctic region only recently, most plausibly following extirpation by ice scour at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Locations of putative recolonised islands relative to 'refugial' areas indicate that Antarctic sea ice was likely more extensive at the LGM than previous studies have suggested. Latitudinal contrasts in genetic diversity were also observed among Chilean populations of D. antarctica, with a single mitochondrial haplotype detected throughout Chilean Patagonia versus high diversity in central Chile (32�-42�S). The Patagonian populations appear to have recolonised the region postglacially, following recession of the Patagonian Ice Sheet after the LGM. These populations show transoceanic ancestry, with a closer relationship to populations in the subantarctic and southern New Zealand regions than to those in central Chile. Substantial phylogeographic structure was evident across small spatial scales in central Chile, and the correspondence of major genetic disjunctions among central Chilean sites with the presence of long stretches of unsuitable substrate (beaches) strongly suggests that habitat discontinuity drives genetic isolation in this dispersive species. Broad-scale molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the current taxonomy of Durvillaea species requires substantial revision. Previously-recognised 'morphotypes' of Durvillaea (of D. potatorum in Australia, and D. antarctica in New Zealand), for example, were here found to be genetically distinct, likely representing reproductively-isolated species. This phylogeographic research on Durvillaea kelp sheds new light on the historical impacts of climate change on Southern Hemisphere marine environments, and on the processes driving evolution in a marine macroalga.

Durvillaea, a kelp genus occurring only in the Southern Hemisphere, presents an ideal system for studies of marine connectivity and postglacial recolonisation. Durvillaea contains five currently-recognised species, four of which are non-buoyant. Whereas all non-buoyant species are restricted to the south-western Pacific, the sole buoyant species (D. antarctica) has a far wider, circumpolar distribution, strongly suggesting that long-distance dispersal in D. antarctica is achieved by rafting. This contrast in predicted dispersal ability among Durvillaea species provides an opportunity for natural phylogeographic comparisons, thereby assessing the effectiveness of rafting as a long-distance dispersal mechanism. Additionally, the inability of D. antarctica to survive in ice-affected areas, combined with its broad distribution, make it an ideal candidate for studies of postglacial recolonisation. Phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships within Durvillaea were here assessed using sequence data from mitochondrial (COI), chloroplast (rbcL) and nuclear (18S) DNA. Genetic data were obtained from more than 500 specimens, including representatives from across the geographic range of each recognised species of Durvillaea. Mitochondrial data for Durvillaea were found to be highly phylogenetically informative, with 117 variable sites observed over a 629 bp fragment of COI. Chloroplast and nuclear markers, on the other hand, showed less variation than COI, but nonetheless contributed useful phylogenetic information. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using both Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Contrasting patterns of genetic diversity were observed across the range of D. potatorum in Australia, with genetic homogeneity throughout western sites versus relatively high levels of diversity in eastern populations. Based on these results, I hypothesise that D. potatorum recolonised much of the western part of its range postglacially, perhaps being entirely eliminated from western Tasmania during the last glacial period by altered oceanographic systems. Additionally, 'western' and 'eastern' D. potatorum haplotypes formed deeply-divergent clades, likely reflecting geographic isolation on either side of the Bassian Isthmus during Pleistocene marine regressions. Substantial genetic diversity was observed across the range of the circumpolar species D. antarctica. Within New Zealand, phylogenetic and morphological analyses of D. antarctica indicate that two morphotypes ('cape' and 'thonged' forms) likely represent reproductively isolated species, with the 'cape' lineage apparently restricted to southern New Zealand. Whereas the 'cape' lineage showed little genetic variation throughout its range, the 'thonged' lineage exhibited marked phylogeographic structure, with high genetic diversity and a clear north - south genetic disjunction delineated by the Canterbury Bight. On a broader, circumpolar scale, D. antarctica showed contrasting patterns of genetic diversity, with high levels of variation in low-latitude regions (e.g., continental coasts of New Zealand and Chile), versus near-homogeneity at high, subantarctic latitudes. These phylogeographic contrasts strongly suggest that D. antarctica recolonised much of the subantarctic region only recently, most plausibly following extirpation by ice scour at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Locations of putative recolonised islands relative to 'refugial' areas indicate that Antarctic sea ice was likely more extensive at the LGM than previous studies have suggested. Latitudinal contrasts in genetic diversity were also observed among Chilean populations of D. antarctica, with a single mitochondrial haplotype detected throughout Chilean Patagonia versus high diversity in central Chile (32�-42�S). The Patagonian populations appear to have recolonised the region postglacially, following recession of the Patagonian Ice Sheet after the LGM. These populations show transoceanic ancestry, with a closer relationship to populations in the subantarctic and southern New Zealand regions than to those in central Chile. Substantial phylogeographic structure was evident across small spatial scales in central Chile, and the correspondence of major genetic disjunctions among central Chilean sites with the presence of long stretches of unsuitable substrate (beaches) strongly suggests that habitat discontinuity drives genetic isolation in this dispersive species. Broad-scale molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the current taxonomy of Durvillaea species requires substantial revision. Previously-recognised 'morphotypes' of Durvillaea (of D. potatorum in Australia, and D. antarctica in New Zealand), for example, were here found to be genetically distinct, likely representing reproductively-isolated species. This phylogeographic research on Durvillaea kelp sheds new light on the historical impacts of climate change on Southern Hemisphere marine environments, and on the processes driving evolution in a marine macroalga.

O gênero Sargassum C. Agardh (Sargassaceae) constitui um dos mais representativos dentre os 41 gêneros da ordem Fucales (Phaeophyceae, Heterokontophyta), é amplamente distribuído nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais do globo e é considerado um importante componente da flora marinha. Devido ampla variabilidade fenotípica é considerado um dos gêneros de taxonomia mais complexa dentre as algas pardas, como são popularmente conhecidos os representantes da classe Phaeophyceae. A filogenia da ordem Fucales é bastante discutida para gêneros do hemisfério norte, mas ainda pouco elucidada. Os estudos de filogenia referentes ao gênero Sargassum são escassos, limitando-se a poucos marcadores moleculares, com baixa resolução no âmbito inter-específico e limitados à espécies de ocorrência nos oceanos Indo-Pacífico e Atlântico Norte. Nenhum estudo filogenético incluí espécies do Atlântico Sul para este gênero. Este estudo é pioneiro na análise de seqüências de diferentes marcadores moleculares para espécies do Atlântico Sul. Neste estudo, foram seqüenciados completamente os marcadores moleculares nucleares SSU rDNA e ITS2 para os táxons infra-genéricos Sargassum cymosum var. cymosum, S. cymosum var. nanum, S. furcatum, S. stenophyllum e S. vulgare. Todas as seqüências obtidas para ambos os marcadores apresentaram 100% de identidade entre os táxons analisados. Foram feitas seqüências também para o marcador molecular plastidial rbcL (parcial) e espaçador rbcLS para as espécies S. filipendula, S. stenophyllum e S. vulgare que resultaram também em 100% de identidade. Análises filogenéticas de cada um dos marcadores moleculares, incluindo nossas seqüências e aquelas disponíveis no Genbank e geradas pelos métodos de inferência \"Neigbour-joining\", máxima parcimônia e máxima verossimilhança se apresentaram robustas e corroboram outros resultados descritos na bibliografia referente a ordem Fucales e ao gênero Sargassum. Entretanto, tais resultados fornecem um forte indício da necessidade de busca de marcadores moleculares eficientes, devidamente respaldados por estudos de hibridação in vitro, dados ecológicos e de biogeografia para um melhor entendimento acerca das espécies ocorrentes na costa brasileira. / The genus Sargassum C. Agardh (Sargassaceae) is one of the most conspicuous among the 41 genera of the order Fucales (Phaeophyceae, Heterokontophyta). The genus has a broad distribution in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and is considered an important component of the marine flora. Due to a high phenotipic variation, the taxonomy of the genus is considered of the most complex among the brown seaweeds, as are known the representatives of the class Phaeophyceae. The phylogeny of the order Fucales was studied for the North Hemisphere genera, but is still not well understood. The phylogenetic studies of the genus Sargassum are scarce and limited to a few molecular markers, presenting low resolution for inter-specific analysis and are available only for species from the Indo-Pacific and the North Atlantic. There are no phylogenetic studies including species from the South Atlantic for the genus. This study is the first to analyze sequences from different molecular markers for species from the South Atlantic. In this study, the nuclear SSU rDNA and ITS2 were completely sequenced for the infra-generic taxa Sargassum cymosum var. cymosum, S. cymosum var. nanum, S. furcatum, S. stenophyllum and S. vulgare. All the sequences for both markers presented 100% identity among analyzed taxa. Sequences were also obtained for the chloroplast marker rbcLS, including parcial rbcL and the spacer region rbcLS for the species S. filipendula, S. stenophyllum and S. vulgar. These sequences also presented 100% identity among analyzed taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of each of the molecular markers, including our sequences together with other sequences available in the Genbank and generated by the inference methods Neigbour-joining, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood were robust and similar to other results described in the literature for the order Fucales and the genus Sargassum. Nonetheless, these results are an indicative of the need for more efficient molecular markers, associated with data from in vitro hibridization, ecology and biogeography for a better understanding about the taxa occurring on the brazilian coast.

O gênero Sargassum C. Agardh (Sargassaceae) constitui um dos mais representativos dentre os 41 gêneros da ordem Fucales (Phaeophyceae, Heterokontophyta), é amplamente distribuído nas regiões tropicais e subtropicais do globo e é considerado um importante componente da flora marinha. Devido ampla variabilidade fenotípica é considerado um dos gêneros de taxonomia mais complexa dentre as algas pardas, como são popularmente conhecidos os representantes da classe Phaeophyceae. A filogenia da ordem Fucales é bastante discutida para gêneros do hemisfério norte, mas ainda pouco elucidada. Os estudos de filogenia referentes ao gênero Sargassum são escassos, limitando-se a poucos marcadores moleculares, com baixa resolução no âmbito inter-específico e limitados à espécies de ocorrência nos oceanos Indo-Pacífico e Atlântico Norte. Nenhum estudo filogenético incluí espécies do Atlântico Sul para este gênero. Este estudo é pioneiro na análise de seqüências de diferentes marcadores moleculares para espécies do Atlântico Sul. Neste estudo, foram seqüenciados completamente os marcadores moleculares nucleares SSU rDNA e ITS2 para os táxons infra-genéricos Sargassum cymosum var. cymosum, S. cymosum var. nanum, S. furcatum, S. stenophyllum e S. vulgare. Todas as seqüências obtidas para ambos os marcadores apresentaram 100% de identidade entre os táxons analisados. Foram feitas seqüências também para o marcador molecular plastidial rbcL (parcial) e espaçador rbcLS para as espécies S. filipendula, S. stenophyllum e S. vulgare que resultaram também em 100% de identidade. Análises filogenéticas de cada um dos marcadores moleculares, incluindo nossas seqüências e aquelas disponíveis no Genbank e geradas pelos métodos de inferência \"Neigbour-joining\", máxima parcimônia e máxima verossimilhança se apresentaram robustas e corroboram outros resultados descritos na bibliografia referente a ordem Fucales e ao gênero Sargassum. Entretanto, tais resultados fornecem um forte indício da necessidade de busca de marcadores moleculares eficientes, devidamente respaldados por estudos de hibridação in vitro, dados ecológicos e de biogeografia para um melhor entendimento acerca das espécies ocorrentes na costa brasileira. / The genus Sargassum C. Agardh (Sargassaceae) is one of the most conspicuous among the 41 genera of the order Fucales (Phaeophyceae, Heterokontophyta). The genus has a broad distribution in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and is considered an important component of the marine flora. Due to a high phenotipic variation, the taxonomy of the genus is considered of the most complex among the brown seaweeds, as are known the representatives of the class Phaeophyceae. The phylogeny of the order Fucales was studied for the North Hemisphere genera, but is still not well understood. The phylogenetic studies of the genus Sargassum are scarce and limited to a few molecular markers, presenting low resolution for inter-specific analysis and are available only for species from the Indo-Pacific and the North Atlantic. There are no phylogenetic studies including species from the South Atlantic for the genus. This study is the first to analyze sequences from different molecular markers for species from the South Atlantic. In this study, the nuclear SSU rDNA and ITS2 were completely sequenced for the infra-generic taxa Sargassum cymosum var. cymosum, S. cymosum var. nanum, S. furcatum, S. stenophyllum and S. vulgare. All the sequences for both markers presented 100% identity among analyzed taxa. Sequences were also obtained for the chloroplast marker rbcLS, including parcial rbcL and the spacer region rbcLS for the species S. filipendula, S. stenophyllum and S. vulgar. These sequences also presented 100% identity among analyzed taxa. Phylogenetic analysis of each of the molecular markers, including our sequences together with other sequences available in the Genbank and generated by the inference methods Neigbour-joining, maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood were robust and similar to other results described in the literature for the order Fucales and the genus Sargassum. Nonetheless, these results are an indicative of the need for more efficient molecular markers, associated with data from in vitro hibridization, ecology and biogeography for a better understanding about the taxa occurring on the brazilian coast.