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Interactions between light and temperature on the physiological ecology ofGracilaria tikvahiae (Gigartinales: Rhodophyta)

I. Growth, photosynthesis and respiration

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Abstract

Main effects and interactions of light and temperature on rates of growth (μ), net photosynthesis (Ps), and dark respiration (R) of the red seaweedGracilaria tikvahiae were investigated in outdoor, nutrient-replete continuous-flow seawater culture chambers. Below 15°C,G. tikvahiae did not grow and between 15° and 30°C, both main effects and interactions of light and temperature on μ and Ps were significant, which explains the occurrence of this alga as a summer annual in its northern range. Temperature interacted with light (I) through its influence on the μ vs I and Ps vs I curves. The initial slope of the μ vs I curve, α, the light saturation intensity, Is, and maximum growth rate, μmax, were all significantly lowerat 15°C compared to 20°, 25°, or 30°C. Maximum values of μmax, the Ps:R ratio and the net photosynthesis:gross photosynthesis ratio (Ps:Pg) all occurred at 25°C, suggesting that this is the best temperature for growth ofG. tikvahiae. Values for Pmax increased up to 30°C, indicating that the temperature for maximum growth and net photosynthesis are not the same forG. tikvahiae. Significant photoinhibition of growth and photosynthesis at full incident sunlight (I0) occurred at 15°C but not at 20°, 25°, or 30°C. Steele's equation fit the 15°C μ vs I data best, whereas the hyperbolic tangent function fit the 20°, 25°, and 30°C data best. Main effects and interactionof light intensity and temperature on rates of R were also significant (P<0.001). R was highly intercorrelated with μ and Ps (0.86≦r≦0.94), indicating that R inG. tikvahiae is primarily regulated by growth rate and not temperatureper se. Environmental factors that regulate growth, such as light intensity, exert a great influence on R inG. tikvahiae.

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Author notes

  1. B. E. Lapointe

    Present address: Harbor Branch Institution, Inc., P.O. Box 818, 33043, Big Pine Key, Florida, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, P.O. Box 13687, 31406, Savannah, Georgia, USA

    B. E. Lapointe & K. R. Tenore

  2. Biology Department, University of South Florida, 33620, Tampa, Florida, USA

    B. E. Lapointe & C. J. Dawes

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  1. B. E. Lapointe
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  2. K. R. Tenore
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  3. C. J. Dawes
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Communicated by J.M. Lawrence, Tampa

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Lapointe, B.E., Tenore, K.R. & Dawes, C.J. Interactions between light and temperature on the physiological ecology ofGracilaria tikvahiae (Gigartinales: Rhodophyta). Mar. Biol. 80, 161–170 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02180183

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