marine algae final
Pterocladia capillacea
"branched feather" initially similar to Gelidium but appear feather like. Small branchlets taperinward where they junction with the main branch or stipe
Chaetomorpha spiralis (chlorophyta)
"hair shaped" unbranched, thin, dark green filaments
Corallina chilensis
"small coral" a form of coralline algae with coffin shaped segments. Fronds appear whitish to pale lavender purple in this species. Lateral branches get progressively shorter near the tips and lie in one plane. Will bleach white if left out in sun (like Bossiella) formerly known as C. officinalis.
Endarachne binghamiae
"spider like" multiple blades originate from a common holdfast
Dictyopteris undulata (phaeophyta)
"undulated feather network" dichotomously branched with a darkened midrib throughout. Often confused with D. flabellate and P. coriaceum but D. undulata has WIDER BLADES WITH UNDULATED MARGINS
Nereocystis luetkeana (Phaeophyta)
(BULL KELP) "mermaid's bladder" up to 118m to long stipe stretching to a single volleyball-sized pneumatocyst topped with numerous long (4m), wide (15m), and slightly serrated blades.
G. zonestra
(EEL GRASS) -grows in estuaries/bays -wider blades -less surf (dont worry about uproot)
Egregia mensiezii (phaeophyta)
(FEATHER BOA) up to four distinct life stages: 'very young' single undulated blades. 'young' wide stipe with oppositely branching blades/ bladders, 'old' like young with emergence of 'hair', 'very old' very hairy!
Padina (phaeophyta)
(POTATOE CHIP ALGAE) flattened bladers splayed out like a fan which contain varying concentric brown shades; due to CaCO3 in cell walls- serves as an adaptation to desiccation. Very common in Baja/Sea of Cortez
Silvetia compressa (phaeophyta)
(ROCK WEED) distinguished from by the elongated appearance of the dichotomous swollen reproductive tips in the upper portion. Formerly classified as Pelvetia fastigiata.
Colpomenia sinuosa (phaeophyta)
(SEA POTATO) "sinuous membrane" floats as large, solitary, wrinkled, bladder-like structure. Common along CA coast, and grows large (0.5m diameter) in baja
Gigartina spinosa
(TURKISH TOWEL) long, rubbery, textured sheet like blades. Carageenan extract (thickener) -contains carageenan (extract used commercially --> ice cream)
Phylum Rhodophyta (red)
*pigment = Chl. a, Phycoerythrin + phycocyanin = magenta colored *grows the deepest! = most diverse
Phylum Chlorophyta (Green)
*pigment = Chlorophyll a -limited to upper 3m of water -few # of species, but abundant
P. Phaeophyta (brown) "Kelps"
*pigment = Chlorophyll a. and Fucoxanthin -grows deeper *only Phylum to contain Pneumatocysts -Pneumatocysts = gas bladder *very stenothermic --> issue for El Niño years
K. Plantae
- P. anthophyta -> flowering plants -in the marine environment, these include the "sea grasses" -3 tissues= root, stem, leaves -roots conduct sediments and minerals into vascular tissues then to the leaves for photosynthesis
Dictyota flabellata (Phaeophyta)
-"fan network" -Dichotomously branched, 3 cells thick throughout. Smaller than P. coriaceum
Botryoglossum farlowinanum (Rhodophyta)
-"grape tongue" -A longer, wider blade with a fringed margin.
Ulva intestinalis (Chlorophyta)
-"intestine shaped" -tubular filaments, common in bays and intertidal zones. Tolerant of high nutrient pollution. Forms thick surface mats in estuaries, and is an indicator of eutrophication in coastal regions. -Eutrophication
Prionitis lanceolata (Rhodophyta)
-"lance-like" -Darkened, dichotomous branched stipes have small blades (or lance-like growths) along their length. Growing patterns vary within depth.
Rhodymenia Californica (Rhodophyta)
-"red membrane" Thin, dichotomously branched blades. Eaten as Dulse in Europe, also as a flavouring in milk and a substitute for chewing tabacco
Pachydictyon coriaceum (phaeophyta)
-"thick network" -Dichotomously branched tips that resemble Dictyota except for the thick margin. Pachydictyon has a margin thickness of 5 cells, and a center thickness of 3 cells
Gelidium coulteri (Rhodophyta)
-(ALGAR WEED) -"gel" -Grows in dense mats or thick clumps up to 10 cm tall, with few major branches and numerous secondary branchlets. Gelatin extract: WWII Gelidium divers were draft exempt = algar!
Cystoseira osmundacea (Phaeophyta)
-(BLADDER CHAIN) -Pneumatocysts are arranged in linear, pea pod-shaped structures. Bottom, (older) growth portion consists of wide flat blades, and resembles Sargassum. Upper portions are dissected.
Coralline Algae
-(CaCO3 in cell walls) *identify by growth segments *lavender in color G. Corallina - coffin-shaped segments G. Bossiella - heart-shaped segments G. Lithothrix - Colum-shaped segments
Codium fragile (chlorophyta)
-(DEAD MANS FINGERS) -Dichotomous branching patterns. C. magnesium may grow to 6 meters in Baja. Codium is grazed upon by nudibranchs, which retain the chloroplasts and become functional photosynthetic animals. -siphonous growth, actually 1 big cell
Zostera marina (Anthophyta)
-(EEL GRASS) -Linear, flat green leaves. Common in still water habitats such as mud flats and sandy embayments
Zonaria farlowii (Phaeophyta)
-(FEED WEED) -"banded" -First appears to be dichotomous, but fan shaped tips have a banded coloration pattern, or "zones of tones." Looks like a small Padina and w/o CaCO3. In the same family as Dictyota.
Macrocystis Porifera (Phaeophyta)
-(GIANT KELP) -"large bladder" -grows numerous fronds with serrates blades, each with a large pneumatocyst at its base. New blades originate from the scimitar blade, and spaghetti-like haptera from the holdfast which anchors it to rocky substrates. Susceptible to warm water (El Niño), and grazed upon by sea urchins -grows 3 feet/day in nutrient rich waters (cold water) -cell walls contain algin which is used commercially as a thickener in foods/cosmetics/dyes ECOLOGY= kelp->sea urchins-> sea otters (keystone species) -when sea otters died, the urchin population increased and kelp population decreased from the predation of the urchins
Plocamium cartilageneum (Rhodophyta)
-(SEA FERN) -Finely dissected branchlet tips appear billowy; presses beautifully
Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyta)
-(SEA GRAPE) -"cut-off seaweed" -Small, spherical pneumatocysts grow in clusters like grapes. Bottom (older) growth portion consists of wide flat blades, and resembles Cystoseira
Ulva lactuca (chlorophyta)
-(SEA LETTUCE) -Sheet-like membranes, 2 cells thick. Nutrient pollution tolerant, used in salads.
Eisenia arborea (Phaeophyta)
-(SEA PALM) -"Eisen's tree" -Look like miniature palm trees in the surf zone. Has a thick, flexible stipe that branches into two collections of blades with serrated margins. Found in the low tide zone with surf grass.
Halidrys dioica (Phaeophyta)
-(SEA TREE) -Similar in morphology to Cystoseria expect lower portion has a bilateral midrib, and what appears to be a bladder chains are actually linear swollen reproductive structures, or receptacles
Phyllospadix scouleri (Anthophyta)
-(SURF GRASS) -Long, narrow, strand-like leaves. Indicator of low tide zone along with Eisenia. A food source and habitat for young spiny lobsters. Very susceptible to oil pollution.
G. phyllospadix
-an indicator of LOW TIDE ZONE -reproduce sexually (flowers->spore) and asexually (rhizomes="roots") -grow in soft sediments -very stringy (grows on sandy bottoms)
K. Monera
-phylum cyanophyta -cyanobacteria= (blue/ green algae) -common in mud flats and estuaries -can perform nitrogen fixation (convert N2 ->NH3) -sometimes it appears like "tar" on intertidal rocks
P. Phaeophyta (brown algae)
-pigment= chlorophyll a and brown (fucoxanthin)= grows deeper -only phylum to contain pneumatocysts=gas bladders -very stenothermic-> issue for el nino years (cant tolerate wide range temperature)
way in which we classify
1. Domain 2. Kingdom 3. Phylum 4. Class 5. Order 6. Family 7. Genus. 8. Species Genus and Species is what makes up the scientific name (capitalize Genus, lowercase species)
Differentiate between the three groups of flowering plants that dominate the ocean shore. In a table, provide the common name and genus name for each, describe their physical structure and types of shorelines they thrive in, and list the specialized adaptations they have developed to survive in these habitats.
1. Physical Structure 2. Thriving Shorelines 3. Specialized Adaptations Seagrass (Zostera) 1. -have horizontal stems called rhizomes that commonly grow beneath the sediment -Roots and erect shoots grow from the stems -has pollen to fertilize -leaves looking like long fingers 2.-likely to inhabit bays and estuaries due to them being mostly shallow as well being well-protected coastal waters. 3.-has developed flat, ribbon-like leaves in order to get more oxygen because they most only have oxygen-poor sediments to work with Salt-Marsh Grasses (Spartina) - 1. -leaves are always partly exposed to air -very long blades of grass -thicker than average grass as well. 2. -inhabits zones that are located above mudflats which become submerged at high tides by the sea water. 3.-has a high tolerance to salt because of its leaves -when salt glands get stuck in leaves, the leaves can excrete any excess salt Mangroves (Rhizophora) - 1. -thick leaves -seeds develop into long, pencil-shape seedlings (as long as 30cm) -typically has long roots that are exposed during low tides. 2. -inhabits subtropical and tropical shores -flourishes along sandy or even muddy shores. 3.-has thicker leaves to reduce the amount of water that is lost
definition of algae
Algae are a wide variety of fresh and marine water organisms that perform photosynthesis in order to stay alive and obtain the nutrients they need.
List the 3 major phyla of seaweeds and provide their major pigments. Assuming that these pigments determine the amount of light each algae can harness for photosynthesis, infer as to how these pigments also determine the habitat ranges of these algae.
Chlorophyta (Green) - Chlorophyll a: limited t upper 3 meters of water: Most green algae are found in freshwater environments such as ponds and lakes because they thrive off of sunlight so they tend to be more shallow than other kinds of algae. Because they are more shallow, more wavelengths reach this algae which is why it is green. Phaeophyta (Brown) - Chlorophyll a and Fucoxathin: grows deeper; These algae are found mostly in dominant primary producers on temperate and polar rocky coasts. Because the brown algae are typically located near rocky coasts they reflect similar brown wavelengths as these rocks and sediments along coasts. Rhodophyta (Red) - Chlorophyll a, Phycoerythrin, phycobilin: This seaweed does not need to harness as much light for photosynthesis so it grows in the deepest waters which means it is the most diverse; light of long wavelengths such as red wavelengths cannot reach these deep waters which is why this seaweed is red.
Other than photosynthesis, why are cyanobacteria important ecologically? What causes the blue-green color in cyanobacteria?
Cyanobacteria are important ecologically because along with being one of the first photosynthetic organisms on earth, they exercise the important role in the accumulation of oxygen (O2) in our atmosphere. The blue-green color in cyanbacteria is caused when the phycocyan predominates (has a larger amount) among phycoerythrin in the cyanbacteria.
Match the algae with its description - they may not be in order of text.
Fastest growing algae → brown algae (Phaeophyta) Has CaCO3 in its cell wall → red algae (Coralline Algae) Flourishes in polluted waters → green algae (Chlorophyta)
Summarize your understanding of mariculture (What is it? Does it involve more sea life than just algae? Is it a sustainable practice? Etc.) In terms of algae harvesting, describe the economic uses of algin and carrageenan.
Mariculture is the farming of seaweed which is especially done in places like Japan, China, and Korea to later turn this farmed seaweed into food. Mariculture mainly involves algae, namely seaweed, but it also involves more sea life such as shrimp. Seaweed is the main focus of mariculture because of its values from the gelantious chemical called phycocolloids which has the ability to form gels or even viscous suspensions with low amounts of the chemical. Because low concentrations are required to get these valuable nutrients, phycocolloids is a sustainable practice; however, it unfortunately destroys habitats for numerous species who may rely on seaweed, making this practice unsustainable as well for the environment as a whole. Algin is used in the manufacture of dairy products as a stabilizer and emulsifier in order to keep the dairy product smooth to avoid it from separating. Align is also useful in baking because of its ability to prevent frostings and pies from drying out. Carrageenan is harvested from red algae and is used especially as an emulsifier to give some sort of shape to foods such as pudding.
Algae is a relative term that spans 3 Kingdoms. List the Kingdoms and provide a specific example of each type of algae for each kingdom.
Protista - Genus Codium: branches dichotomously and is grazed upon by nudibranchs that transfer chloroplasts to become a photosynthetic animal Monera - Phylum Cyanophyta: can term-44perform Nitrogen Fixation Plantae - Phylum Anthophyta: flowering plants which include The Genuses of Phyllospadix and Zostera
Why are stromatolites important?
Stromatolites are seen of high value because they are still forming today but many of them are fossils that can date all the way back to 3 billion years ago and are formed by ancient or unevolved cyanobacteria.
Kelps do not have roots, stems, or leaves. Provide the analogous structures to these plant parts that you would find on a kelp plant (diagram and label a giant kelp Mscrocystis pyrifera).
The analogous structure of the roots is the holdfast, analogous structure to the stem is the stipe, and lastly the analogous structure to the leaves are the blades of the kelp. (REFER BACK TO NOTES)
Diatoms (Chrysophyta) are called the "Golden-brown algae" while dinoflagellates (Pyrrophyta) are called the "Fire algae" - What pigments are responsible for each common name?
The common name of "Golden Brown Algae" comes from the carotenoid pigments along with chlorophyll a and b to contribute to its color and the common name, while "fire Algae" deriving from the genus name Pyrophyta gets its color from chlorophyll a.
Give 2 common names for multicellular algae.
Two common names for multicellular algae are seaweed and flowering plants.
Bossiella californica
a form of coralline algae with heart shaped segments. Appears lavender due to the CaCO3 in its cell walls to prevent desiccation. Will bleach white if left out in the sun (like Corallina)
Lithothrix aspergillum
a form of coralline that looks like Corallina except with column shaped segments
Cladophora trichotoma (chlorophyta)
a short growing, turf-like algae. Forms tight moss-like tufts on rocky substrates
Construct a table to categorize the common names and scientific names of the algae featured in this chapter by Phylum.
cyanobacteria=
Hesperophycus harveyanus (phaeophyta)
distinguished from Pelvetia by a slight midrib in the lower portion, and by the rounded appearance of the swollen reproductive dichotomous tips in the upper portion
Anthophyta (Flowering Plants)
have 3 tissues of roots, stems, and leaves
Porphyra perforata
sheet-like algae with natural perforations/holes in the blade. Not as thick, rubbery and textured as Gigartina. Used as sushi wrapping -used as a sushi wrapping
Laurencia pacifica (Rhodophyta)
species vary greatly
stenothermic
steno--> narrow range of tolerance -wants it just right