SINKING RATES AND VIABILITY OF SPORES FROM BENTHIC ALGAE IN CENTRAL CHILE
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1989
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Abstract
Spore-sinking rates and viability were studied in 12 species of benthic macroalgae from the intertidal zone in central Chile: two Chlorophyta, Enteromorpha intestinalis (L.) Link and Ulva rigida C. Ag.; one Phaeophyta, Lessonia nigrescens Bory; nine Rhodophyta, Ahnfeltia durvillaei (Bory) J. Ag., A. gigartinoides J. Ag., Gelidium Chilense (Mont.) Santelices et Montalva, G. lingulatum J. Ag., Gymnogongrus furcellatus (C. Ag.) J. Ag., oaIridaea ciliata Kutz, I. laminarioides Bory, Nothgenia fastigiata (Bory) Park., and Porphyra columbina Mont. In still water, interspecific differences in sinking rates were found. Whereas E. intestinalis swarmers remained near the water surface, suggesting a low sinking rate, concentration of spores gradually decreased in all species. After 2-5 h, the percentage of spores that remained near the surface, varied between 80% in A. gigartinoides and 20% in I. ciliata. The sinking rate of spores measuring < 15 .mu.m in diameter was significantly lower than that of spores > 15 .mu.m (P < 0.01). Sinking rate of spores under continuous water stirring was tested for spore suspensions of I. laminarioides and P. columbina. Spores remained suspended near the water surface for 12 h but their concentration decreased to < 50% of the initial value after 24 h. Differences in spore-germination capacity and viability were observed among species. A. durvillaei, G. furcellatus, N. fastigiata, and P. columbina seem to have seasonal fluctuations in germination capacity. Spores were viable from 4 to 11 days, depending on the species. Characteristics of the spores might influence their dispersal potential and, in some species, be related to the life-history strategies of the algae.