Article Frontmatter was published on June 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 3).

Article In this issue was published on June 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 3).

Two morphologically similar digitate kelp species, Laminaria digitata and Hedophyllum nigripes , co-occur along a shallow sublittoral depth gradient in the Arctic but, in contrast to L. digitata , very few ecophysiological data exist for H. nigripes . We investigated growth, survival, photosynthetic characteristics and carbon:nitrogen ratios of juvenile sporophytes, and recruitment and survival of

The objective of the present study is to examine the fine structure of vegetative cells of Laminaria digitata using both chemical fixation and cryofixation. Laminaria digitata was chosen due to its importance as a model organism in a wide range of biological studies, as a keystone species on rocky shores of the North Atlantic, its use of iodide as a unique inorganic antioxidant, and its significance

Surfgrass Phyllospadix iwatensis has been declining in the past decades. Transplantation is considered to be the best option to restore the degraded surfgrass beds due to its low seed production. To develop a surfgrass transplanting strategy to increase transplant survival rate and also to minimize damage to donor beds when harvesting transplants, an experiment was conducted to assess the effects of

Algal blooms are natural phenomena that may cause human health problems, millions of dollars in losses and ecological disasters worldwide. Anthropogenic pressures like eutrophication may increase the frequency and intensity of these phenomena. The Black Sea is characterized by rapid changes in salinity and temperature in surface waters. In addition, it has suffered increasing environmental pressure

A lot of data on the flora of the Barents Sea are scattered in Russian publications and thus are largely inaccessible to many researchers. The study aims to compile a checklist and to verify the species composition of the Rhodophyta of the Barents Sea. The checklist is based on a comprehensive bibliographic study referring to a wide range of data on the species distribution, from the oldest to the

Southern New England and New York specimens of Spyridia ‘ filamentosa ’ were sequenced for the mitochondrial COI-5P and chloroplastic rbc L genes and determined to be distinct from Mediterranean (type locality) specimens of the same taxon. A little-known species name, Spyridia americana Durant, is applied to specimens collected from the northeastern coast of the United States.

Mangroves in small islands are critical resources for the stability of the island and the livelihood of local coastal communities. However, scientific inventories of mangroves in small islands are rare due to their limited distribution. Considering this, the present study was conducted during 2014–2015 to determine the species composition, biomass, vegetative carbon stock and spatial distribution of

Article Frontmatter was published on April 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 2).

Article In this issue was published on April 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 2).

Controlling the life cycle of the green macroalga Ulva (Chlorophyta) is essential to maintain its efficient aquaculture. A fundamental shift in cultivation occurs by transforming the thallus cells into gametangia and sporangia (sporulation), with the subsequent release of gametes and zoids. Sporulation occurrence depends on algal age and abiotic stimuli and is controlled by sporulation inhibitors.

To investigate the effects of river waters on estuarine seagrass, the tropical seagrass Halophila ovalis was collected at Brunei Bay, Borneo, and was cultured under laboratory conditions for 18 days. Three treatments were set up in the experiment: natural seawater with a salinity 30 (S30), estuarine river water with a salinity 10 (S10), and the intermediate water that was composed of the seawater and

Cymodocea nodosa , a typical marine angiosperm species in the Mediterranean Sea, hosts a range of epiphytic algae. Epiphyte abundance varies at different spatial scales, yet epiphyte diversity and community composition are poorly understood. This study explores the epiphytes on C. nodosa from two reference meadows (Thasos, Vrasidas) and one anthropogenically stressed meadow (Nea Karvali) in the northern

Rhodoliths are important foundation species of the benthic photic zone but are poorly known and rarely studied in Alaska. A bed of Lithothamnion soriferum rhodoliths was discovered in 2008 in Kinzarof Lagoon, Alaska, a shallow-water embayment dominated by eelgrass ( Zostera marina ). Rhodolith spatial extent and biomass were estimated to assess trends and environmental factors that may influence rhodolith

Introductions of macroalgae are becoming more common with increased surveillance and the use of molecular tools to unequivocally identify invaders. We here report two non-indigenous macroalgal species newly confirmed to be present in New Zealand. Pachymeniopsis lanceolata is an irregularly divided foliose blade, first detected in Lyttleton Harbour/Whakaraupō, South Island but here also reported from

We used three molecular markers (COI-5P, rbc L and UPA) to investigate the diversity of Hypnea spp., an economically important red algal genus, collected from India. Our concatenated tree (COI-5P and rbc L) supported the monophyly of two new species, Hypnea indica sp. nov. and Hypnea bullata sp. nov. H. indica diverged from its closest two sister species, Hypnea cervicornis and Hypnea tenuis (by 15

Dinoflagellates in the genus Gambierdiscus are known to produce potent neurotoxins known as ciguatoxins. These toxins vector through the food web and can reach sufficiently high levels to cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP). In many regions of the Caribbean, little is known about the occurrence of CFP-causing species or the incidence of CFP, despite its apparent regional increase over the last few

Article Erratum to: The effects of phosphate on physiological responses and carbohydrate production in Ulva fasciata (Chlorophyta) from upwelling and non-upwelling site was published on April 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 2).

Article In this issue was published on February 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 1).

Article Frontmatter was published on February 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 1).

Phosphorus is a key macronutrient in macroalgal physiology, including carbohydrate anabolism. To determine the effects of phosphorus on different physiological parameters, we cultivated Ulva fasciata specimens from distinct localities (upwelling and non-upwelling sites) in the presence of different phosphate concentrations (0, 2, and 4 µM PO43−${\text{PO}}_{4}^{3-}$). After 15 days, growth rates were

Caffeine is present in coastal environments worldwide and there is a need to assess its impact on marine organisms. Here, we exposed two species of ecologically important marine macroalgae ( Chondrus crispus and Codium fragile subsp. fragile ) to a suite of caffeine concentrations and measured their response. Caffeine concentrations of 10–100 ng L −1 had no significant effect on the growth rate or

Three new non-geniculate coralline algal species from South Africa are described that were passing under the misapplied name, Spongites yendoi . Based on plastid encoded DNA sequences from psb A and rbc L markers, these species belong in the subfamily Chamberlainoideae. The DNA sequences, supported by the morpho-anatomical character of tetrasporangial conceptacle roof development, placed all three

Algal diversity in aquatic environments can help assess the health status of ecosystems, provide information about invasions of new species and inform species diversity changes according to environmental conditions. An algal diversity survey (2016–19) of Nador Lagoon (northern Morocco) revealed the presence for the first time of the brown alga Cystoseira aurantia . Since 2015 this alga has been found

In this work, we identified non-crustose invasive ( Codium fragile subsp. fragile ) and native Codium spp. ( Codium tomentosum and Codium vermilara ) in the central Cantabrian Sea using DNA barcoding (tufA and rbcL genes). We designed a new FCO tuf A genetic marker for identifying Codium spp. in fresh and herbarium material. The tufA and rbcL sequences revealed three different single haplotypes for

The genus Opephora currently contains 37 species and 27 infraspecific taxa. However, the existing literature reveals a wide morphological diversity and the need to establish defining characters to circumscribe the genus as a cohesive and, perhaps, monophyletic group. The type material of Opephora pacifica , the generitype, is analysed. We emend the description of both the species and the genus, the

Unicellular algae have evolved to express many forms of high-affinity phosphate transporters, and homologs of these proteins are broadly distributed in yeast, fungi, higher plants, and vertebrates. In this report, an effort has been made to characterize such a transporter gene, StPHO , in the marine diatom Skeletonema tropicum . The primers used for polymerase chain reaction were designed by referring

Article Reviewer acknowledgement Botanica Marina volume 63 (2020) was published on February 1, 2021 in the journal Botanica Marina (volume 64, issue 1).

Abstract Even though seaweeds have been recognized as key players in the ocean-to-atmosphere transfer of iodine in other parts of the world, there is a complete lack of knowledge about iodine accumulation in seaweeds of the Arabian Gulf. Similarly, very little is known about fluorine in seaweeds, anywhere in the world. Given that the Arabian Gulf is of particular interest due to being an extreme environment

Abstract Agar is a strongly gelling polysaccharide extracted from gracilarioids, which is processed through conventional alkaline pre-treatment and chemical bleaching. However, the use of chemical bleaching agents has associated health risks to humans and the environment. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of photo-bleaching in combination with NaOH pre-treatments at 5, 10 and

Abstract Kappaphycus alvarezii was introduced for mariculture purposes on the coast of São Paulo, southeast of Brazil, in 1995, and since then an experimental pilot cultivation has been maintained. Since it is an exotic species, the dispersion of thallus fragments, presence of reproductive structures and recruitment from spores were monitored bimonthly from November 2016 to January 2018. Fragment dispersion

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 6 Pages: iv-vi

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 6 Pages: i-iii

Abstract The dioecious seagrass species Halophila stipulacea reproduces mainly through fast clonal growth, underlying its invasive behavior. Here, we provide morphological evidence to show that the first findings of fruits in the Caribbean were misidentified. Consequently, H. stipulacea reproduction is likely still only asexual in the Caribbean. Therefore, we introduce an identification key of H. stipulacea

Abstract The marine algal flora of eastern Sorsogon has been intensively collected and is generally considered as the richest in the Philippines. A trend of species records in the area has been dominated by rhodophytes (red algae) with significantly fewer similar studies for other algal groups (green and brown algae). In this study we present an updated catalogue of the green seaweeds (Ulvophyceae)

Abstract Three endemic species of Gelidium have been described from the remote Tristan da Cunha archipelago. A recent barcode survey of Tristan da Cunha red algae in combination with the clarification of vouchers for previously sequenced specimens has prompted a molecular and morphological reassessment of these species. Analyses of rbcL and COI-5P data indicated that all sequenced Tristan da Cunha

Abstract With the potential adverse effects of climate change, it is essential to enhance the understanding of marine ecosystem dynamics, which can be driven by the co-evolutionary interaction between autotrophs and herbivores. This study looked into the autotroph-herbivore interactions in Malaysian waters, mainly to determine if autotroph nutritional quality significantly influences herbivore consumption

Abstract The inter-specific resilience among mangrove species to sea level rise (SLR) is a key to design conservation strategies for this economically important ecosystem that is among the most vulnerable to SLR. Tectonic processes can cause sudden increases or drops in sea level due to subsidence or uplift of the land surface, which can also provide insights for the mangrove community responses to

Abstract Sargassum species form large beds that play an important role in coastal ecosystems. The beds are abundant and Sargassum is often used as food and in Asian medicine in Vietnam. As a base for future use and conservation, we surveyed 14 species of Sargassum at eight locations during April-May of 2018 and 2019. Sargassum species from Vietnam were divisible into northern and southern groups; the

Abstract Agarophyton vermiculophyllum is a commercially important red alga for agar production in the Northwest Pacific Ocean and is an invasive seaweed in Europe. High temperature is an important environmental stressor that influences its growth, metabolism, and migration. Nevertheless, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underpinning the response of A. vermiculophyllum to heat stress.

Abstract Grazing pressure by animals can change the distribution and biomass of seagrass. We examined grazing pressure by conducting transect surveys and acquiring aerial images by drone before and after the arrival of migratory birds along the Asadokoro tide flats, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The distribution and biomass of the seagrass Zostera japonica decreased sharply between October and November

Abstract It was noted that Mediterranean specimens collected at different stations from around Sicily, Italy and referred to as Laurencia dendroidea (as Laurencia majuscula) were similar to the recently described species Laurenciella marilzae. Presented in this study are the results of an integrative approach using both morphology and molecular data (COI-5P + rbcL) to establish which taxon these specimens

Abstract The Antarctic endemic brown alga Ascoseira mirabilis is physically and physiologically well adapted to the extreme polar environment. To better understand the molecular strategies associated with stress adaptation, the transcriptome of A. mirabilis was sequenced, and its antioxidant enzyme genes were identified and compared with other algae. A total of 126,576 unigenes with a mean length of

Abstract The extensive application of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) has raised concern about its environmental risks. The present study aims to elucidate TiO2 NP ecotoxicity, by assessing effects on seagrasses at environmentally relevant concentrations. Changes in physiological and structural cell traits of Cymodocea nodosa leaves, treated with TiO2 NPs at 0.0015–1.5 mg l−1 for eight consecutive

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 5 Pages: 491-491

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 5 Pages: iv-vi

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 5 Pages: i-iii

Abstract The seaweed industry of temperate Southern Africa was last reviewed in 2003. Since then there have been considerable changes. There are three main uses of kelp (mostly Ecklonia maxima, with some Laminaria pallida) in South Africa. The collection of wash-up for drying and exporting for alginate extraction has drastically reduced to very small amounts in recent years. The boat harvest of fresh

Abstract The commercial landscape of seaweed use in New Zealand (NZ) has shifted and evolved since it was last reviewed in 2006. One of the largest changes saw the introduction of Macrocystis pyrifera and green-lipped mussel spat (which is landed attached to beach-cast seaweed) into the Quota Management System—the primary tool for commercial fisheries management in NZ. There have also been policy changes

Abstract Korea has a long history of utilizing seaweeds, as the country has a high biodiversity of seaweeds. The abundance and composition of seaweed species have changed over the past decades due to climate change and anthropogenic influences. Some species showed a significant extension of their distribution range to the north while some species declined. Some areas have even become barren ground

Abstract Tanzania is endowed with a rich biodiversity of seaweed species that grow naturally in its oligotrophic waters of the Western Indian Ocean. Most of these species are unexploited. Only two red seaweeds Eucheuma and Kappaphycus have been studied for commercial farming and the industrial production is based on these species. Another genus of red seaweed, Gracilaria, has been studied and experimented

Abstract Due to its large, exclusive economic zone, India has considerable potential for implementing large-scale cultivation of macroalgae. However, such cultivation requires the availability of, and access to, sites where technical, legal, governmental, and environmental factors are favorable. This review discusses the challenges that have held back the development of seaweed cultivation in India

Abstract The rising global demand for energy and the decreasing stocks of fossil fuels, combined with environmental problems associated with greenhouse gas emissions, are driving research and development for alternative and renewable sources of energy. Algae have been gaining increasing attention as a potential source of bio-renewable energy because they grow rapidly, and farming them does not, generally

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Pages: 299-301

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Pages: iv-vi

Journal Name: Botanica Marina Volume: 63 Issue: 4 Pages: i-iii

Abstract A survey of driftwood and mangrove wood in South Australia revealed a high diversity of marine fungi. Across eight sites there were 43 species of marine fungi, of which 42 are new records for South Australia, 11 new records for Australia and 12 taxa currently of uncertain status likely to be new species. Sites had distinctive species compositions with the largest difference attributable to

Abstract The coast of Peru (3.5–18°S) is one of the most productive marine areas in the world. The updated seaweed checklist reports a total of 260 specific/intraspecific taxa, of which the Rhodophyta show the highest number (185 species), followed by Chlorophyta (41 species) and Phaeophyceae (34 species). Since 2012, an increase in molecular studies has been reported mostly in Rhodophyta, while Chlorophyta

Abstract Seagrass conservation and management requires scientific understanding of spatial and temporal variability, information that is currently limited for the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP). Here, we analysed seagrass presence based on previous reports, herbarium collections and stakeholder knowledge, combined with field characterization in Golfo Dulce, southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Seagrasses