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Home CCSU Theses & Dissertations Reproductive phenology and photosynthetic studies on Polysiphonia subtilissima (Ceramiales,...

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Reproductive phenology and photosynthetic studies on Polysiphonia subtilissima (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in Connecticut

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Identifier	Thesis 2204
Author	Blessing, Kathleen E., 1980-
Title	Reproductive phenology and photosynthetic studies on Polysiphonia subtilissima (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in Connecticut
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date	2011; *
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Notes	This thesis focuses on the alga Polysiphonia subtilissima, specifically its reproductive phenology and photosynthetic rates. At its northern limits including New England, P. subtilissima occurs in areas of lower salinity and in Connecticut it is present in the lower intertidal zone of tidal creeks. Polysiphonia’s life cycle consists of an alternation of free-living haploid (gametophytes) and diploid (tetrasporophyte) generations yielding three free-living life history phases (male, female, tetrasporophytes) which are differentiated only (microscopically) by their reproductive structures. The goal of this study was to obtain information regarding reproductive status and determine optimal conditions for the photosynthesis of P. subtilissima and see if these conditions correlate to its presence in the field. The initial results from this study are the first steps towards understanding the ecological requirements of Polysiphonia subtilissima in hopes that it could potentially be utilized as a biological water quality indicator. P. subtilissima individuals were collected at three locations in Connecticut; the Black Hall River and Duck River in Old Lyme, and the Branford River in Branford. In situ physical water parameters were measured and recorded at each location during collection. For the reproductive phenology studies 50 individuals were collected at low tide from the each of the three sites approximately every two weeks from July to October 2004. The thalli were observed microscopically to determine their reproductive status (cystocarpic, spermatangial, tetrasporic or vegetative). In addition individuals were collected for photosynthesis and respiration experiments which were conducted for the three sites at 20° C and for the Branford River at 15° and 25° C, over a range of salinities (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 ppt). Photosynthetic and respiration rates were calculated by averaging changes in oxygen concentrations in light and dark bottles, respectively (per gram of fresh weight per hour). Over the course of this study, vegetative P. subtilissima individuals were observed from June to October. Reproductive P. subtilissima individuals were observed from late July to early September; however, only tetrasporic and cystocarpic algae were observed. There did not appear to be a pattern regarding the relative abundance of cystocarpic, tetrasporic and vegetative individuals. No spermatangial individuals (males) were ever noted. Reproductive individuals were first observed at the Black Hall and Duck Rivers and were observed the latest at the Black Hall River. Previous studies conducted in the northeast on other Polysiphonia species have shown similar patterns with peak reproduction in the summer and declining in the early autumn. Previous studies have also noted the absence of males. Based on the data the optimal laboratory conditions for photosynthesis were determined to be 15° C; and 20 to 25 ppt salinity for 20° and 25° C and 35 ppt for 15° C. These conditions corresponded to the presence of Polysiphonia in the field for temperature but not salinity as the conditions measured in the field were 13.7° to 26.9° C and 3.1 to 19.7 ppt. These results do not correlate to previous studies in which optimal temperatures and salinities were determined to be approximately 25° C and 15 ppt. For the respiration experiments there did not appear to be any obvious patterns or optimal temperatures or salinities. This correlates with a previous study in which respiration rates fluctuated with salinity without an obvious trend.
Subject	Polysiphonia -- Connecticut -- Phenology
Department	Department of Biological Sciences
Advisor	Penniman, Clayton A.
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
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Home CCSU Theses & Dissertations Reproductive phenology and photosynthetic studies on Polysiphonia subtilissima (Ceramiales,...

Reproductive phenology and photosynthetic studies on Polysiphonia subtilissima (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) in Connecticut

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