Publication Date:
2022-03-29
Description:
Endemic Antarctic macroalgae are especially adapted to live in extreme Antarctic conditions. Their potential biogeographic
distribution niche is primarily controlled by the photoperiodic regime and seawater temperatures, since these parameters
regulate growth, reproduction, and survival during the entire life cycle. Here we analyzed the upper survival temperature
(UST) of juvenile sporophytes and the temperature range for sporophyte formation from gametophytes of Desmarestia menziesii,
one of the dominant endemic Antarctic brown algal species. This process is a missing link to better evaluate the full
biogeographical niche of this species. Two laboratory experiments were conducted. First, growth and maximum quantum
yield of juvenile sporophytes were analyzed under a temperature gradient (0, 5, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 °C) in a 16:8 h
light:dark (LD) regime (Antarctic spring condition) for 2 weeks. Second, the formation of sporophytes from gametophytes
(as a proxy of gametophyte reproduction) was evaluated during a 7 weeks period under a temperature gradient (0, 4, 8, 12,
and 16 °C), and two different photoperiods: 6:18 h LD regime simulating winter conditions and a light regime simulating the
Antarctic shift from winter to spring by gradually increasing the light period from 7.5:16.5 h LD (late winter) to 18.5:5.5 h
LD (late spring). Sporophytes of D. menziesii were able to grow and survive up to 14 °C for 2 weeks without visible signs
of morphological damage. Thus, this species shows the highest UST of all endemic Antarctic Desmarestiales species. In
turn, gametophyte reproduction solely took place at 0 °C but not at 4–8 °C. The number of emerging sporophytes was six
times higher under the light regime simulating the transition from winter to spring than under constant short day winter
conditions. There was a negative relationship between the number of sporophytes formed and the gametophyte density at
the beginning of the experiment, which provides evidence that gametophyte density exerts some control upon reproduction
in D. menziesii. Results strongly indicate that although sporophytes and gametophytes may survive in warmer temperatures,
the northernmost distribution limit of D. menziesii in South Georgia Islands is set by the low temperature requirements for
gametophyte reproduction. Hence, global warming could have an impact on the distribution of this and other Antarctic species,
by influencing their growth and reproduction.
Repository Name:
EPIC Alfred Wegener Institut
Type:
Article
,
isiRev
,
info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Format:
application/pdf