New stomatocysts discovered in Sphagnum peatlands, central China

Chrysophyte stomatocysts have been studied widely in temperate and arctic regions, while they are rarely investigated in tropical and subtropical areas. The subtropical mountainous region in central China is one of the Global 200 conservation priority ecoregions, due to its high biodiversity. There are some patches of pristine peatlands developed in lowlands of this region, while little knowledge is available on algal distribution in this high biodiversity region. Twenty-four stomatocysts were identified and described in this paper following International Statospore Working Group (ISWG) guidelines and illustrated by SEM micrographs, with eighteen previously described stomatocysts and six new stomatocysts. This is the first comprehensive investigation of stomatocysts in subtropical montane peatlands in central China, which can improve our knowledge on the richness and distribution of stomatocysts in the subtropical region.

ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF EPIPHYTIC DIATOMS ON TWO SUBMERGED AQUATIC MACROPHYTES IN TIGRIS RIVER, IRAQ

This study was aimed to provide the baseline information of epiphytic diatom communities in the Tigris river within Wasit Province to fill the information gap on the algal distribution. This investigation was conducted on epiphytic diatoms from two macrophytes (Ceratophyllum demersum and Myriophyllum alterniflorum) and related physicochemical parameters of the river from June 2015 to May 2016. Three sites were selected along the river (Al-Aziziyah, Zubaidiyah, and Numaniyah). Qualitative and quantitative study of epiphytic diatoms was investigated. A total of 277 species of epiphytic diatoms were identified on both macrophytes, these diatoms belonged to 27 genera for C. demersum and 28 genra for M. alterniflorum. A total number of diatom species were ranged from 801.8× 104 cell.g-1 at site 3 to 1159.72 ×104 cell.g-1 at 1for C. demersum, while on M. alterniflorum were ranged (87.24 × 104 -545.68×104 cell.g-1) at site1. The study revealed that diatoms were abundant, reflecting the quality of water and determine the extent of pollution and polluted type.

Observation of Taxonomic Features of A Terrestrial Algae Oedocladium Terrestre Biswas (Chlorophyceae) With Soil Analysis From West Bengal, India

In the present paper, a brief description along with valuable information of Oedocladium terrestre Biswas, a member of Oedogoniales of Chlorophyta, has been provided. This species was collected from a velvety green patches on damp soil at Jirat of Hooghly district, West Bengal, India. The bending of mature oogonium downwardly was an interesting feature that might be due to easy entry for gametes within this female structure. This character is appeared to be an ecological adaptation for terrestrial habitat. In addition to that, presence of narrower rhizoids in the thallus that helps penetrating, anchoring and absorbing water and mineral contents from soil also supported the terrestrial adaptation of this taxon. This is a rare algal taxon. The soil analysis of the algal distribution site showed the following features as: sand (36.1%), silt (28.1%), clay (35.8%), pH (7.1), EC (0.154 dSm-1), OC (6.7 mgkg-1), Ca2+ (4.8 cmol+kg-1), Na+ (0.72 cmol+kg-1), K+ (0.16 cmol+kg-1), WHC (47%) and total S (98.2 mgkg-1).J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 29, 2015,, Page: 1-8

Metabolic responses of photosynthetic sea slugs to a changing environment

Sacoglossan sea slugs have complex interactions with their environment. They are well known for their ability to sequester stolen chloroplasts and utilize them for photoautotrophic CO2 fixation, yet the dependence on this is not clear in most species. Elysia stylifera is an Indo-Pacific tropical sacoglossan that selectively consumes Halimeda macroalgae and retains its chloroplasts for two weeks. This association is prone to change as their habitats are subjected to increased ocean warmth and acidification, altering algal distribution and decreasing photosynthetic efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic response of E. stylifera to projected environmental changes. Elysia stylifera were subjected to ambient (28°C) or warm (30°C) conditions and five days of food deprivation. On the first and fifth day of starvation, the respiration rates of individuals were measured in the dark to quantify slug response, as well as in the light to characterize their response when given the ability to photosynthesize. Dark treatments showed that slugs deprived of food undergo metabolic suppression in current conditions, but may not undergo suppression in projected warm conditions. The difference between oxygen consumption in dark and light treated slugs demonstrated photosynthesis occurred, but that it was reduced under all stressors. This study reveals that forecasted ocean warming may not be favorable for short-term photosynthetic sea slugs because of its impact on both the sea slugs and their ingested kleptoplasts. It also presents new uncertainties about the benefits of kleptoplasty and how it may transform with climate change.

Metabolic responses of photosynthetic sea slugs to a changing environment

Sacoglossan sea slugs have complex interactions with their environment. They are well known for their ability to sequester stolen chloroplasts and utilize them for photoautotrophic CO2 fixation, yet the dependence on this is not clear in most species. Elysia stylifera is an Indo-Pacific tropical sacoglossan that selectively consumes Halimeda macroalgae and retains its chloroplasts for two weeks. This association is prone to change as their habitats are subjected to increased ocean warmth and acidification, altering algal distribution and decreasing photosynthetic efficiency. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic response of E. stylifera to projected environmental changes. Elysia stylifera were subjected to ambient (28°C) or warm (30°C) conditions and five days of food deprivation. On the first and fifth day of starvation, the respiration rates of individuals were measured in the dark to quantify slug response, as well as in the light to characterize their response when given the ability to photosynthesize. Dark treatments showed that slugs deprived of food undergo metabolic suppression in current conditions, but may not undergo suppression in projected warm conditions. The difference between oxygen consumption in dark and light treated slugs demonstrated photosynthesis occurred, but that it was reduced under all stressors. This study reveals that forecasted ocean warming may not be favorable for short-term photosynthetic sea slugs because of its impact on both the sea slugs and their ingested kleptoplasts. It also presents new uncertainties about the benefits of kleptoplasty and how it may transform with climate change.

ALGAL DISTRIBUTION AND ITS ABUNDANCE IN PUTHALAM SALTWORKS, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

Saltworks are important wetlands and exposed to wide range of environmental stress and perturbations. Fluctuations of salinity, brine chemistry and nutrient status leads to variation in microalgal population. The typical saltworks Sri Sankara Allom, Puthalam was chosen for the study. The investigation was aimed to list out the microalgae and calculates their abundance. The work was done in different seasons (I, II, III and IV) of the study period (March 2009 to February 2010). The reservoir pond showed major variation among micro algal species but it was low in condenser pond. Only two micro algal species were observed in crystallizer pond. A gradual reduction in number of micro algal species was observed with an increase in salinity. With regard to crystallizer, Dunaliella was the dominant one throughout the study period.