Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Genetic differentiation in the intertidal zone in populations of the alga Enteromorpha linza (Ulvales: Chlorophyta)

  • Published:
Marine Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Genetic differentiation within the intertidal zone was examined in six populations of the asexually reproducing alga Enteromorpha linza growing in the Long Island Sound, USA. Four of the five populations sampled in 1981 showed significant differentiation between high and low intertidal positions with respect to the GOT-2 locus. The pattern of differentiation was consistent for samples collected at several times during the year with some seasonal modifications. Four additional polymorphic loci, resolved in 1982, identified a total of 13 five-locus genotypes or clones. Four of the six populations sampled in 1982 showed significant differences in clone frequency between high and low intertidal positions. Laboratory experiments revealed differences in response to temperature among the clones. At 24°C a high intertidal associated clone showed an increase in growth, while low intertidal associated clones showed decreased growth compared to growth at 15°C. These results suggest that the microgeographic differentiation observed for E. linza in the intertidal zone may in part be due to the differential adaptation of clones to different intertidal environments. Additional demographic information is needed for individual clones in order to determine the role longevity, reproductive output, recruitment and interclonal competition play in maintaining the observed differentiation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Literature cited

  • Ayre, D. J.: Localized adaptation of clones of the sea anemone Actinia tenebrosa. Evolution 39, 1250–1260 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  • Biebl, R.: Vergleichende Untersuchungen zur Temperaturresistenz von Meeresalgen entlang der pazifischen Küste Nordamerikas. Protoplasm 69, 61–83 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, R. and M. S. Johnson: Asexual viviparity and population genetics of Actinia tenebrosa. Mar. Biol. 53, 27–31 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Black, R. and M. S. Johnson: Genetic differentiation independent of intertidal gradients in the pulmonate limpet Siphonaria kurracheensis. Mar. Biol. 64, 79–84 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, A. D.: Plant evolution in extreme environments. In: Ecological genetics and evolution, pp 20–50. Ed. by R. Creed. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1971

    Google Scholar 

  • Caisse, M. and J. Antonovics: Evolution in closely adjacent plant populations. IX. Evolution of reproductive isolation in clinal populations. Heredity 40, 371–384 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, A. R. O.: A critique of prevailing attitudes towards the control of seaweed zonation on the sea shore. Bot. mar. 16, 80–82 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clegg, M. T. and R. W. Allard: Patterns of genetic differentiation in the slender wild oat species Avena barbata. Proc. natl Acad. Sci. 69, 1820–1824 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Femino, R. J. and A. C. Mathieson: Investigations of New England marine algae. IV. The ecological and seasonal succession of tide pool algae at Bald Head Cliff, York, Maine, U.S.A. Bot. mar. 23, 319–332 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Flowerdew, M. W. and D. J. Crisp: Allelic esterase isozymes, their variation with season, position on the shore and stage of development in the cirripede Balanus balanoides. Mar. Biol. 35, 319–325 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. H., S. M. Singh, B. Hicks and J. McCuaig: An arctic intertidal population of Macoma balthica (Mollusca, Pelecypoda): genotypic and phenotypic components of population structure. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 40, 1360–1371 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunnill, F. C.: Recruitment and standing stocks in populations of one green alga and five brown algae in the intertidal zone near La Jolla, California during 1973–1977. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 3, 231–243 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamrick, J. L. and R. W. Allard: Microgeographic variation in allozyme frequencies in Avena barbata. Proc. natl Acad. Sci. 69, 2100–2104 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamrick, J. L. and R. W. Allard: Correlations between quantitative characters and enzyme genotypes in Avena barbata. Evolution 29, 438–442 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Innes, D. J.: The genetic structure of asexually reproducing Enteromorpha linza (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) in Long Island Sound. Mar. Biol. 94, 459–467 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  • Innes, D. J. and L. E. Haley: Inheritance of a shell color polymorphism in the mussel. J. Hered. 68, 203–204 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Innes, D. J. and C. Yarish: Genetic evidence for the occurrence of asexual reproduction in populations of Enteromorpha linza (L.) J. Ag. (Chlorophyta, Ulvales). Phycologia 23, 311–320 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. S. and R. Black: Chaotic genetic patchiness in an intertidal limpet, Siphonaria sp. Mar. Biol. 70, 157–164 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. S. and R. Black: Pattern beneath chaos: The effect of recruitment on genetic patchiness in an intertidal limpet. Evolution 38, 1371–1383 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koehn, R. K., F. J. Turano and J. B. Mitton: Population genetics of marine pelecypods. II. Genetic differences in microhabitats of Modiolus demissus. Evolution 27, 100–105 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinton, J. S.: Genetic variation in a gradient of environmental vriability: Marine bivalvia (Mollusca). Science, Wash. DC 180, 75–76 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinton, J. S.: Levels of genetic polymorphism at two enzyme encoding loci in eight species of the genus Macoma (Mollusca: Bivalvia). Mar. Biol. 33, 41–47 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Levinton, J. S. and D. L. Fundiller: An ecological and physiological approach to the study of biochemical polymorphisms. In: Proc. 9th Eur. Symp. on Mar. Biol., pp 165–178. Ed. by J. Barnes. Aberdeen: Aberdeen University Press 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lubchenco, J.: Algal zonation in the New England rocky intertidal community: an experimental analysis. Ecology 61, 333–344 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathers, N. F.: Environmental variability at the phosphoglucose isomerase locus in the genus Chlamys. Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 3, 123–127 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathieson, A. C. and R. Burns: Ecological studies of economic red algae. I. Photosynthesis and respiration of Chondrus crispus stakhouse and Gigartina stellata (Stackhouse) Batters. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 7, 197–206 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathieson, A. C., N. B. Reynolds and E. J. Hehre: Investigations of New England marine algae. II. The species composition, distribution and zonation of seaweeds in the Great Bay Estuary System and the adjacent open coast of New Hampshire. Bot. mar. 24, 533–545 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitton, J. B.: Shell color and pattern variation in Mytilus edulis and its adaptive significance. Chesapeake Sci. 18, 387–389 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Newkirk, G. F.: Genetics of shell color in Mytilus edulis L. and the association of growth rate with shell color. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 47, 89–94 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliger, P. and B. Santelices: Physiological ecology studies on Chilean Gelidiales. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 53, 65–75 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, E. D.: Ecological implications of clonal diversity in parthenogenetic morphospecies. Am. Zool. 19, 753–762 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sideman, E. J. and A. C. Mathieson: Ecological and genecological distinctions of a high intertidal dwarf form of Fucus disticus (L.) Powell in New England. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 72, 171–188 (1983)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R. and F. J. Rohlf: Biometry, 2nd ed. 859 pp. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman and Co. 1981

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracey, M. L., N. F. Bellet and C. D. Gravem: Excess allozyme homozygosity and breeding population structure in the mussel Mytilus californicus. Mar. Biol. 32, 303–311 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkins, N. P.: Genetic variability in littoral gastropods: phosphoglucose isomerase and phosphoglucomutase in Patella vulgata and P. apera. Mar. Biol. 40, 151–155 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaneveld, J. S.: Factors controlling the delimitation of littoral benthic marine algal zonation. Am. Zool. 9, 367–391 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. D. J. Innes

    Present address: Department of Biology, Memorial University, A1B 3X9, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolution, State University of New York, 11794, Stony Brook, New York, USA

    D. J. Innes

Authors
  1. D. J. Innes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Communicated by R. W. Doyle, Halifax

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Innes, D.J. Genetic differentiation in the intertidal zone in populations of the alga Enteromorpha linza (Ulvales: Chlorophyta). Mar. Biol. 97, 9–16 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391240

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00391240

Keywords

Search

Navigation