Fucoid Macroalgae Have Distinct Physiological Mechanisms to Face Emersion and Submersion Periods in Their Southern Limit of Distribution

oleh: Maria Martins, Cristiano Soares, InĂªs Figueiredo, Bruno Sousa, Ana Catarina Torres, Isabel Sousa-Pinto, Puri Veiga, Marcos Rubal, Fernanda Fidalgo

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-09-01

Deskripsi

During high tide, macroalgae are submersed, facing adequate environmental conditions, however, at low tide, these species can be exposed to high UV radiation and desiccation, leading to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species, causing oxidative stress. Since intertidal organisms present differential sensitivity to abiotic fluctuations, this study aimed to evaluate the physiological responses [photosynthetic pigments, hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>), lipid peroxidation (LP), and thiols and proline] of three macroalgae, from different intertidal levels, towards tidal regimes. Samples of <i>Pelvetia canaliculata</i>, <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i>, and <i>Fucus serratus</i> were collected from beaches located on the southern limit of distribution in periods of potential stress (Summer and Spring), under low and high tide. The photosynthetic pigments of <i>P. canaliculata</i> and <i>F. serratus</i> were generally higher during low tide, and the oxidative damage evidenced by H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and LP increased in the Summer, while <i>A. nodosum</i> showed greater oxidative damage in the Spring. While thiol content did not change, proline levels were species- and tidal-specific among sampling dates. <i>P. canaliculata</i> presented higher resilience to unfavorable conditions, while <i>F. serratus</i> was the most sensitive species. The physiological responses analyzed were species-specific, pointing to the high susceptibility of low intertidal organisms to expected extreme climatic events.