Effect of temperature on photosynthesis, growth and calcification rates of the free-living coralline alga Lithophyllum margaritae

Abstract

Efecto de la temperatura sobre las tasas de fotosíntesis, crecimiento y calcificación del alga coralina de vida libre Lithophyllum margaritae

A preliminary evaluation of shallow-water rhodolith beds in Bahia Magdalena, Mexico

“…And, according to Foster (2001), this is also one of the few studies describing living rhodolith beds in the eastern Pacific. The dominant rhodolith forming species in Bahía Magdalena was Lithophyllum margaritae, which has also been considered one of the commonest species in the Gulf of California (RIOSMENA-RODRÍGUEZ et al, 1999;STELLER et al, 2003;STELLER et al, 2007). The dimensions (size, branch density and volume) and weight obtained in this study were within the range of specimens of L. margaritae found in the Gulf of California (STELLER;FOSTER, 1995;STELLER et al, 2003).…”

“…Of these, the Gulf of California's rhodolith beds are those which have been most extensively studied as to the location, description and analysis of live and fossil rhodolith communities (e.g. FOSTER, 1995;FOSTER et al, 1997;STELLER et al, 2003). Nevertheless, despite the importance of these biogenic habitats in marine environments, little is yet known about the presence of rhodolith beds in most of the Mexican Pacific coastal zone, and even in the eastern Pacific as a whole.…”

“…In the eastern Pacific, rhodolith beds have been recorded in Alaska (USA) (KONAR et al, 2006), in Mexico from the upper Gulf of California to the Revillagigedo Islands FOSTER, 1995;FOSTER et al, 1997;STELLER et al, 2003;HINOJOSA-ARANGO;RIOSMENA-RODRÍGUEZ, 2004) and more recently in the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama (LITTLER;LITTLER, 2008). Of these, the Gulf of California's rhodolith beds are those which have been most extensively studied as to the location, description and analysis of live and fossil rhodolith communities (e.g.…”

“…Currently, several studies have highlighted the importance of rhodolith beds in marine ecosystems because: 1) they provide microhabitats and shelter for a high biodiversity of plants and animals (e.g. BIRKETT et al, 1998;BARBERA et al, 2003;STELLER et al, 2003;HINOJOSA-ARANGO;RIOSMENA-RODRÍGUEZ 2004;KAMENOS et al, 2004;PEÑA;BÁRBARA, 2008;RIUL et al, 2008), 2) their structures have the potential to provide information on past oceanic conditions (FRANTZ et al, 2000) and 3) they contribute to maintaining the pH of seawater (CANALS;BALLESTEROS 1997). In addition, they are exploited as a source of calcium carbonate for a wide variety of human uses (e.g., as agricultural and horticultural fertilizer, soil conditioner, toxin eliminator, drinking water purification, biological denitrification and animal fodder additive as well as in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors, in bone surgery and even in the nuclear industry) (LÓPEZ-BENITO, 1963;BLUNDEN et al, 1977;BLUNDEN et al, 1981;GRAY et al, 2000;BARBERA et al, 2003;GRALL, 2003;GRALL;RIUL et al, 2008).…”

Coralligenous and maërl habitats: predictive modelling to identify their spatial distributions across the Mediterranean Sea

“…They are the result of the building activities of algal and animal constructors, counterbalanced by physical, as well as biological, eroding processes. Because of their extent, biodiversity and production, coralligenous and maërl habitats rank among the most important ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea [17][18][19][20][21] , and they are considered of great significance both for fisheries 22 and carbon regulation 23,24 .…”