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A comparison of nutrient- and light-limited photosynthesis in psammophytic versus epilithic forms of Halimeda (Caulerpales, Halimedaceae) from the Bahamas

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Abstract

The relative nutritional status, with respect to phosphorus (P i ) vs. nitrogen (N) limitation, and light-limited photosynthesis (P s ) was examined over a broad range of quantum fluxes (I) for four Halimeda species, Halimeda tuna (Ellis and Solander) Lamouroux, H. simulans Howe, H. lacrimosa Howe and H. copiosa Goreau and Graham, taken from clear, shallow, Bahamian waters. The results support the hypothesis that psammophytic forms (i.e., sand dwellers anchored by a bulbous rhizoidal system) differ in nutrient status from epilithic forms (i.e., attached to rock by inconspicuous rhizoids). Maximum photosynthetic rates (P max) for the epilithic species H. lacrimos and H. copiosa decreased (P<0.05) following P i enrichment, but increased (P<0.05) following N pulses. Conversely, following brief exposures to P i , P max in the sand-dwelling forms H. tuna and H. simulans was elevated (P<0.05). These findings suggest that shallow species of Halimeda are adapted to take advantage of episodic nutrient pulses, and that partitioning of limiting resources may occur between the various life forms. Shallow water Halimeda species appear well adapted to variable light regimes, including low light conditions. In all cases, light-saturated photosyntheses (I k ) occurred at irradiances much lower than the ambient levels available on typical sunny days. Associated with low saturation irradiances were low light requirements for photosynthetic compensation (I c ) and reasonably efficient use of low photon flux densities as indicated by relatively steep slopes (α) of the P s vs. I curves. Of the four species, H. copiosa was the most shade adapted, with considerably higher α values and considerably lower I c , I k and photoinhibition values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, 20560, Washington, D.C., USA

    Mark M. Littler & Diane S. Littler

  2. Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution, Rt. 3, P.O. Box 297A, 33043, Big Pine Key, Florida, USA

    Brian E. Lapointe

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  1. Mark M. Littler
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  2. Diane S. Littler
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  3. Brian E. Lapointe
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Littler, M.M., Littler, D.S. & Lapointe, B.E. A comparison of nutrient- and light-limited photosynthesis in psammophytic versus epilithic forms of Halimeda (Caulerpales, Halimedaceae) from the Bahamas. Coral Reefs 6, 219–225 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00302018

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