algae in aquatic, marine, and terrestrial systems

Algae in Aquatic, Marine, and Terrestrial SystemsGeneral Biology, Systematics, Ecology, and Environmental Impact

Algae in Aquatic, Marine, and Terrestrial SystemsPolyphyletic group: multiple genealogiesProkaryotic algae (cyanobacteria) and Eukaryotic algae (protistans; not true plants)AutotrophyBody form: unicellular, filamentous, and multicellularDiverse group: Over 26,900 eukaryotic algal species described.

Divisions (Phyla) of AlgaeProkaryotic AlgaeDivision Cyanophyta (cyanobacteria or blue-green algae)not the first photosynthetic organisms, but ancient (3.5 billion years based on fossil record) one organelle is present in the form of simple, flattened vesicles called thylakoids (2 photosystems present)Chlorophyll a, phycobiliproteins; prochlorophytes are related species that possess chlorophyll a, b, and (c)Carbohydrate Reserve: Starch

Single-celled to filamentous blue-green alga or cyanobacterium

Colonial CyanobacteriumGleocapsa

Filamentous to semi-multicellular CyanobacteriumNostoc

Filamentous CyanobacteriumOscillatoria

Divisions of Eukaryotic AlgaeDivision Rhodophyta (red algae)Division Chlorophyta (green algae)Division Chromophyta (= Chrysophyta - golden brown algae, yellow-green algae, diatoms; and Phaeophyta - the brown algae, for example, kelps)Division HaptophytaDivision Dinophyta (= Pyrrophyta - dinoflagellates)Division Cryptophyta (cryptomonads)Division Euglenophyta (Euglena spp.)

Photosynthetic Pigments & Food Reserves

Rhodophyta

Chlorophyll a; phycoerythrobilin

Starch ((-1,4-linked glucan)

Chlorophyta

Chlorophylls a & b

Starch

Chromophyta

Chlorophylls a, c1, c2; fucoxanthin

Chrysolaminarin or laminarin ((-1,3-linked glucan)

Haptophyta

Chlorophylls a, c1, c2; fucoxanthin

Chrysolaminarin ((-1,3-linked glucan)

Dinophyta

Chlorophylls a, c2; peridinin

Starch

Cryptophyta

Chlorophylls a, c2; phycocyanobilin

Starch

Euglenophyta

Chlorophylls a, b

Paramylon ((-1,3-linked glucan)

Unicellular Green Alga

Conjugation Sexual Reproduction

Filamentous Green Alga

Colonial Green Alga

Multicellular Green AlgaeUlva - sea lettuce

Desmid - Cosmarium

Diatoms

Dinoflagellate AlgaeCellulose-containing armor plates that give them a sculpted appearancemost species found in salt-water environmentscommon cause of red tides - algal blooms

Euglenoids

Red AlgaePorphyra - nori use to wrap uncooked fish & other food itemsSmithora naiadum - a epiphyte on eel and surf grassPikea robusta

Brown algaeFucus sp.Nereocystis luekeana

Alaskan Kelp Forest

Beneficial Aspects of AlgaeFood for humansFood for invertebrates and fishes in maricultureAnimal feedSoil fertilizers and conditioners in agricultureTreatment of waste waterDiatomaceous earth (= diatoms)Chalk depositsPhycocolloids (agar, carrageenan from red algae; alginates from brown algae) DrugsModel system for researchPhycobiliproteins for fluorescence microscopy

Detrimental Aspects of Algae Blooms of freshwater algaeRed tides and marine bloomsToxins accumulated in food chainsDamage to cave paintings, frescoes, and other works of artFouling of ships and other submerged surfacesFouling of the shells of commercially important bivalves

Red tide bloomProrocentrum micans bloomAssociated with Hurricane Floyd, which ended a dry summersurface of water slick with this dinoflagellate

9-21-1999

Algal Bloom: Before and After9-23-19999-29-1999

Red Tide

Satellite Imagery of Red Tides

Toxic Phytoplankton & Human poisoningParalytic shellfish poisoning - saxitoxinNeurotxic shellfish poisoning - brevetoxinCiguatera fish poisoning - ciguatoxin and maitotoxinDiarrhetic shellfish poisoning - okadaic acidAmnesic shellfish poisoning - domoic acidCyanobacterial neurotoxins - anatoxinsCyanobacterial hepatotoxins - microcystin, nodularinDermatitis - lyngbyatoxin, aplysiatoxin

Bird Sudden Death Syndrome

Bird Sudden Death SyndromeDeGray Lake, Arkansas; Eagles migrate to area in October and stay through MarchEagles eat fish, the American coot, and other prey itemsWinter 1994-1995, 29 eagles were found dead or died of a neurological malady Winter 1996-1997, pattern repeated itself, leaving 26 bald eagles deadDie-off of eagles has been reported in North Carolina and GeorgiaCoots have been reported to suffer similar symptoms and mortality outbreaksWhy? No one knows? Algal toxins?