Rhodolith Physiology Across the Atlantic: Towards a Better Mechanistic Understanding of Intra- and Interspecific Differences
Por:
Schubert N., Peña V., Salazar V.W., Horta P.A., Neves P., Ribeiro C., Otero-Ferrer F., Tuya F., Espino F., Schoenrock K., Hofmann L.C., Le Gall L., Santos R., Silva J.
Publicada:
1 ene 2022
Resumen:
Coralline algae are important components in a large variety of ecosystems. Among them, rhodoliths are a group of free-living coralline red algae that cover extensive coastal areas, from tropical to polar regions. In contrast to other ecosystem engineers, limited research efforts preclude our understanding of their physiology, underlying mechanisms, drivers and potential differences related to species under varying environments. In this study, we investigated the photosynthetic and calcification mechanisms of six Atlantic rhodolith species from different latitudes, as well as intra-specific differences in one species from four locations. Laboratory incubations under varying light levels provided simultaneous photosynthesis- and calcification-irradiance curves, allowing the assessment of inter- and intra-specific differences on the coupling between these two processes. Stable isotope analysis and specific inhibitor experiments were performed to characterize and compare carbon-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), as well as the involvement of specific ion-transporters for calcification. Our findings showed significant differences in rhodolith physiological mechanisms that were partially driven by local environmental conditions (light, temperature). High variability was found in the coupling between photosynthesis and calcification, in CCM-strategies, and in the importance of specific ion transporters and enzymes involved in calcification. While calcification was strongly correlated with photosynthesis in all species, the strength of this link was species-specific. Calcification was also found to be reliant on photosynthesis- and light-independent processes. The latter showed a high plasticity in their expression among species, also influenced by the local environment. Overall, our findings demonstrate that (1) rhodolith calcification is a biologically-controlled process and (2) the mechanisms associated with photosynthesis and calcification display a large variability among species, suggesting potential differences not only in their individual, but also community responses to environmental changes, such as climate change. Copyright © 2022 Schubert, Peña, Salazar, Horta, Neves, Ribeiro, Otero-Ferrer, Tuya, Espino, Schoenrock, Hofmann, Le Gall, Santos and Silva.
Filiaciones:
Schubert N.:
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
Peña V.:
BioCost Research Group, Departamento de Bioloxía, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade da Coruña, A Coruña, Spain
Salazar V.W.:
Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
Melbourne Integrative Genomics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
Horta P.A.:
Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
Neves P.:
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
Observatório Oceânico da Madeira, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (OOM/ARDITI), Edifício Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal, Portugal
Ribeiro C.:
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
Observatório Oceânico da Madeira, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (OOM/ARDITI), Edifício Madeira Tecnopolo, Funchal, Portugal
Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza (IFCN), IP-RAM, Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
Otero-Ferrer F.:
Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain
Asociación Biodiversidad Atlántica y Sostenibilidad (ABAS, Telde, Spain
Tuya F.:
Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain
Espino F.:
Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación (IU-ECOAQUA), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Telde, Spain
Schoenrock K.:
Department of Zoology, School of Natural Sciences, The Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
Hofmann L.C.:
Marine Aquaculture Group, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
Le Gall L.:
Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
Santos R.:
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
Silva J.:
Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
All Open Access; Gold
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