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The effects of different light intensities on the culture of Gigartina skottsbergii (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) tetrasporophytes and gametophytes in the Magellan region, Chile

  • IV Latin American Congress of Algae Biotechnology (CLABA) and IV Redealgas Workshop
  • Published:
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Abstract

Gigartina skottsbergii is a red seaweed used as raw material for extracting carrageenans, constituting an important economic resource for Chile. In 2009, extraction in the Magellan region reached 15,064 t. The growing demand has adversely affected the sustainability of natural beds, creating an interest in the culture of this resource. In order to provide information relevant to the culture and regeneration of this seaweed, the present study addresses the effects of different light intensities on the growth of G. skottsbergii gametophytes and tetrasporophytes during the early stages of development. Mature reproductive fronds were induced to release spores in the laboratory by a drying process. Gametophytes cultured at different light intensities showed an increase in diameter, which reached 519.13 ± 108.95 μm with 4 μmol photons m−2 s−1, while tetrasporophytes showed a greater increase in diameter, reaching 714.11 ± 116.45 μm with 8 μmol photons m−2 s−1. Results indicate that both stages of the reproductive cycle are influenced by different light intensities within a limited range. Therefore, both phases require different and specific ranges of light intensity.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support to MA and AM is acknowledged from FONDEF and CONICYT, Chile (Project AQ08I1011). The facilities and equipment required were provided by the Laboratory of Sub-Antarctic Macroalgae (LMAS) University of Magallanes. AM acknowledges the Millennium Scientific Initiative (Grant P05-002 ICM, Chile) and the Basal Financing Program of CONICYT (Grant PFB-23, Chile). SR thanks the Masters Scholarship provided by the Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (Chile) (code ICM P05-002). The collaboration of Susan Angus in the improvement of the English language of the manuscript is also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio de Macroalgas Antárticas y Subantárticas, Universidad de Magallanes, Casilla 113-D, Punta Arenas, Chile

    J. Marambio, A. Mansilla, S. Rosenfeld & J. Ojeda

  2. Universidad Arturo Prat (UNAP), Puerto Montt, Chile

    M. Ávila

  3. Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad (IEB), Santiago, Chile

    A. Mansilla & S. Rosenfeld

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  1. J. Marambio
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  2. A. Mansilla
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  3. M. Ávila
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  4. S. Rosenfeld
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  5. J. Ojeda
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Correspondence to A. Mansilla.

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Marambio, J., Mansilla, A., Ávila, M. et al. The effects of different light intensities on the culture of Gigartina skottsbergii (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) tetrasporophytes and gametophytes in the Magellan region, Chile. J Appl Phycol 26, 1963–1969 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-014-0316-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-014-0316-4

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