Rhodolith Physiology Across the Atlantic: Towards a Better Mechanistic Understanding of Intra- and Interspecific Differences
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: 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.
Source: Frontiers in Marine Science
Institutions: Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, University of Algarve, Universidade da Coruña, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Madeira Tecnopolo, Observatório Oceânico da Madeira, Agencia Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigacao Tecnologia e Inovacao, Instituto das Florestas e Conservação da Natureza, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, École Pratique des Hautes Études, Sorbonne Université, Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité, Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle, Université des Antilles
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,950
Funders: European Commission, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, European Marine Biological Resource Centre Belgium, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Horizon 2020, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Awards: G1026844870, G1297482482, G1516346500, G1553630872, G1578237752, G212911054, G2406792210, G2725620999, G2764886717, G2794623168, G2853317115, Centro de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, G2975900969, G3383689680, G3555388297, G3605313435, G3628382867, G3709713472, G3891694003, G4059858039, Global and local impacts on Atlantic RHODOlith beds: Implications for estimates of blue CARbon ecosystem services, G4298574823, G434337789, Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve, G5418339332, G5951502318, G6067619413, G611330818, G6758264902, G6803837551, Association of European Marine Biological Laboratories Expanded, G702508671
OpenAlex ID: W4283360426