Biomechanical properties and holdfast morphology of coenocytic algae (Halimedales, Chlorophyta) in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Anderson, Kim B.; Close, Lisa; DeWreede, Robert E.; Lynch, Brandon J.; Ormond, Carlos G. A.; Walker, Matt J.

doi:10.1016/j.jembe.2005.07.005

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…This may also be inferred from the proportionally higher root biomass and lower leaf biomass that C. nodosa allocates compared with P. oceanica (Guidetti et al 2002). Anderson et al (2006) described the dislodgement of coenocytic green algae from soft sediments by waves measuring the mean force to dislodge the algae (4.9-12.7 N), which increased as the leaf surface area increased.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seedling tolerance to wave exposure

Infantes

Orfila

Bouma

et al. 2011

Limnology & Oceanography

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We studied the role of hydrodynamics in the establishment of sea grass seedlings for two Mediterranean sea grass species, Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa, by combining flume and field studies. Flume measurements under both unidirectional and oscillatory flow showed that P. oceanica seedlings experienced higher drag forces than C. nodosa, which could be related to the larger total leaf area. Drag coefficients were between 0.01 and 0.1 for Reynolds numbers of 10 3 and 10 5 . As a result, P. oceanica seedlings required 40-50% of root length anchored to the sediment before being dislodged, whereas C. nodosa required < 20%. To validate the flume results, seedling survival in sandy beds was evaluated for two depths (12 and 18 m) at two field locations. To calculate near-bottom orbital velocities at the planting sites, deep-water waves were propagated to shallow water using a numerical model. Our results showed that P. oceanica seedlings experienced high losses after the first autumn storms when near-bottom orbital velocities exceeded 18 cm s 21 . The loss of C. nodosa seedlings was much lower and some seedlings survived velocities as high as 39 cm s 21 . Thus, flume and field results are consistent in explaining relative higher losses of P. oceanica seedlings than for C. nodosa.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seedling tolerance to wave exposure

Infantes

Orfila

Bouma

et al. 2011

Limnology & Oceanography

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“…In a review of published data (predominantly for multicellular algae), Thomsen and Wernberg 27 concluded that the only consistently significant and positive correlation was between force to break and area of the thallus. Anderson et al 5 reached a similar conclusion for coenocytic algae, and concluded that the only consistently positive correlation among the coenocytes tested was between blade surface area (= BSA) and force to remove, and often between BSA and holdfast volume.…”

Section: Structural Differences Between Coenocytic Andmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…No such weak points exist in the coenocytic genera tested to date, Udotea and Penicillus, hence an entire individual would need to re-attach. There are no field data on the ability of species of these latter two genera to regrow (once completely detached) from connecting rhizoids, and it is similarly not generally known how common such rhizoidal connections are (Anderson et al 5 , report that about 10-15% of thalli had such connections; and see previous discussion). Hillis-Colinvaux 6 reports that rhizoidal connections were present in some species of Halimeda, but Anderson et al 5 failed to find such connections in Halimeda incrassata (J. Ellis) J.V.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The approximate forces required for detachment can be calculated for these algae 5 , and translated into the corresponding water velocities required to generate such forces. In general, young individuals (with correspondingly less surface area to generate drag) are highly unlikely ever to encounter water velocities sufficient to remove them through this factor alone 5 . Larger thalli are more likely to encounter such forces, but it would still require hydrodynamic forces that would only be generated by a major storm 5 .…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In general, young individuals (with correspondingly less surface area to generate drag) are highly unlikely ever to encounter water velocities sufficient to remove them through this factor alone 5 . Larger thalli are more likely to encounter such forces, but it would still require hydrodynamic forces that would only be generated by a major storm 5 . In the absence of any data on water velocities encountered (but see some speculative data in Collades-Vides et al 29 ), but knowing that such velocities are in any case uncommon, factors other than hydrodynamic ones may be more relevant in shaping morphology and biomechanical properties of coenocytes.…”

Section: Conclusion and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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DeWreede¹

2006

ScienceAsia

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Coenocytic algae are highly visible components of the seaweed flora in shallow tropical coral and sedimented habitats. Coenocytes are unicellular (acellular) and are able to seal and repair damage to their enclosing membrane, and to possibly regrow lost tissue. There is no documented in situ evidence that entire individuals of coenocytic algae are capable of re-attachment once dislodged. These properties suggest that if these organisms are subjected to sufficient physical stress (e.g. hydrodynamic forces), they will break rather than be dislodged from the substratum. Investigation of some biomechanical properties (force to remove, force to break, and strength) of species of Udotea, Halimeda, and Penicillus shows, however, that in more than 95% of cases when these species are so stressed, they detach whole rather than break. This contrasts sharply with the response of most multicellular algae tested, which frequently break within the thallus. Chemical/structural properties of coenocytes that may contribute to these results are the biochemical nature of the cell walls of coenocytes and the presence of a surface layer of calcium carbonate. The potentially rare occurrence of sufficient hydrodynamic forces to dislodge these algae, and the possibly fatal consequences if herbivory damages the thallus, may result in selection for a tough thallus rather than one that breaks.

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Crinoids Aweigh: Experimental Biomechanics of Ancyrocrinus Holdfasts

Plotnick

Bauer

2014

Topics in Geobiology

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Biomechanical properties and holdfast morphology of coenocytic algae (Halimedales, Chlorophyta) in Bocas del Toro, Panama

Cited by 18 publications

References 31 publications

Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seedling tolerance to wave exposure

Posidonia oceanica and Cymodocea nodosa seedling tolerance to wave exposure

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Crinoids Aweigh: Experimental Biomechanics of Ancyrocrinus Holdfasts

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