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Holdfast fragmentation of Macrocystis pyrifera (integrifolia morph) and Lessonia berteroana in Atacama (Chile): a novel approach for kelp bed restoration

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Abstract

The kelps Macrocystis pyrifera (integrifolia morph) and Lessonia berteroana (northern lineage of Lessonia nigrescens) are intensely harvested in Atacama, northern Chile, for abalone forage and alginate production. Local situations call for simple restoration techniques for over-exploited kelp beds. We excised holdfast portions from parental specimens, including parts of stipes and phylloids. Untreated adult thalli and unmanipulated specimens served as controls. Fragments of both species were attached to boulders or rock platforms with elastic bands or cyanoacrylate glue. Transplanted fragments quickly formed new haptera, colonized new substrata, and reached reproductive maturity. Macrocystis regenerates increased in total length and holdfast diameter in one or both directions of the rhizome, forming a pair of stipes, followed by rhizome and haptera development. In Lessonia, tissue of non-injured zones took over new holdfast growth. Success of this propagation method varied with season and substrata. Both species proceeded to complete regeneration of holdfasts. However, holdfasts of older Macrocystis thalli partly decomposed, resulting in two apparently identical individuals. Advantages of these propagation methods are discussed in ecological and restoration contexts.

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Acknowledgments

Financial support was provided by Gobierno Regional de Atacama, through FIC 2011 33-01-211 and 33-01-212 projects, both awarded to RW. Field assistance by C. Atero, J. Martinez, C. Soza and local fishermen from Bahia Chasco/Chañaral is acknowledged. We also thank valuable suggestions from two anonymous reviewers.

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Author notes

  1. Pedro Murúa & Liliana Muñoz

    Present address: Oceanlab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Newburgh, Scotland, AB41 6AA, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Acuicultura, Universidad Austral de Chile, Sede Puerto Montt, PO Box 1327, Puerto Montt, Chile

    Renato Westermeier, Pedro Murúa, David J. Patiño & Liliana Muñoz

  2. Fachbereich Biologie der Universität Konstanz, 78457, Konstanz, Germany

    Dieter G. Müller

Authors
  1. Renato Westermeier
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  2. Pedro Murúa
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  3. David J. Patiño
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  4. Liliana Muñoz
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  5. Dieter G. Müller
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Correspondence to Renato Westermeier.

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Westermeier, R., Murúa, P., Patiño, D.J. et al. Holdfast fragmentation of Macrocystis pyrifera (integrifolia morph) and Lessonia berteroana in Atacama (Chile): a novel approach for kelp bed restoration. J Appl Phycol 28, 2969–2977 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0827-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-016-0827-2

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