Coralline algae of central New Zealand

146 Pages·2005·8.44 MB·English

Coralline algae of central New Zealand
An identification guide to common ‘crustose’ species
Adele Harvey
William Woelkerling
NIWA Information Series No. 57
Tracy Farr
ISSN 1174-264X
Kate Neill 2005
Wendy Nelson
Coralline algae of central New Zealand
An identification guide to common ‘crustose’ species
Adele Harvey
William Woelkerling
Tracy Farr
Kate Neill
Wendy Nelson
NIWA Information Series No. 57
2005
2
Published by NIWA
Wellington
2005
Edited and produced by
Science Communication, NIWA,
Private Bag 14901, Wellington, New Zealand
ISSN 1174-264X
© NIWA 2005
Citation:
Harvey, A.; Woelkerling, W.; Farr, T.; Neill, K.; Nelson, W. (2005).
Coralline algae of central New Zealand: an identification guide to common ‘crustose’ species.
NIWA Information Series No. 57. 145 p.
Cover: Non-geniculate coralline algae on subtidal rock wall. Photo by Sean Cooper, Department of Conservation.
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Contents
List of full page figures, tables, and keys .......................................5 Chapter 6. How to collect and store corallines .........................24
Corallines in situ .................................................................................24
Preface ...............................................................................................6 Table 6.1: Habitats and common substrates ......................................24
Coralline collecting .............................................................................25
Samples for short-term storage ..........................................................26
PART A – USING THE GUIDE
Samples for long-term storage ...........................................................26
Principles of handling specimens .......................................................27
Chapter 1. How to use this guide, and its limitations ................7
Processing specimens .......................................................................27
Organisation .........................................................................................7
DNA subsampling ...............................................................................27
How to use this guide ...........................................................................7
Processing for long-term storage .......................................................28
Icons on plates .....................................................................................8
Storage and maintenance ..................................................................29
General limitations of the guide ............................................................8
PART C – CORALLINE ESSENTIALS
PART B – GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 7. Coming to grips with coralline structure
Chapter 2. Introduction ...............................................................10
and reproduction .....................................................................31
Study area and sources .................................................................... 11
Organisation .......................................................................................31
Coralline growth forms .......................................................................32
Chapter 3. Introducing coralline red algae ................................14
Coralline substrates ...........................................................................34
Where corallines are found ................................................................14
Reproductive structures – basic morphology and anatomy ...............36
Significance of corallines in the marine environment .........................14
Simplified coralline sexual cycle .........................................................38
Uniporate conceptacles ......................................................................40
Chapter 4. Coralline biodiversity in the greater New
Multiporate conceptacles ...................................................................42
Zealand region .........................................................................17 Calcified compartments ......................................................................44
Past records .......................................................................................17 Male, female, and carposporangial conceptacles ..............................46
Type specimen studies .......................................................................17 Vegetative characters .........................................................................48
Species limits .....................................................................................18
The challenge ahead ..........................................................................19
Chapter 5. Coming to grips with coralline taxonomy ...............21
Table 5.1: Diagnostic characters of families and subfamilies .............22
Table 5.2: Diagnostic characters separating genera ..........................23
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PART D – SPECIMEN IDENTIFICATION
PART E – SPECIES PROFILES
Chapter 8. Specimen identification with direct
observation and/or simple lab procedures ...........................52 Chapter 12. Species profiles .......................................................84
Limitations of specimen identification .................................................52 Table 12.1: Species found in central New Zealand ............................85
Steps in specimen identification .........................................................52 Species plates ............................................................................86–125
Table 8.1: Specimen information ................................................54 & 55
Figures 8.2A–C: Flow chart key ...................................................56–58
Acknowledgments .........................................................................126
Chapter 9. Simple lab procedures ..............................................60
Chemicals and equipment ..................................................................60
References .....................................................................................127
Solution preparation ...........................................................................60
Picking off fertile fragments ................................................................61
Glossary .........................................................................................131
Decalcifying fragments .......................................................................63
Slide preparation ................................................................................63
Helpful hints and cautions ..................................................................65 Appendices ....................................................................................138
Table 9.1: Simple lab procedures for thicker plants ...........................66
Table 9.2: Simple lab procedures for very thin plants ........................67

Chapter 10. Specimen identification – using more involved
lab procedures .........................................................................71
Limitations of specimen identification .................................................71
Steps in specimen identification .........................................................71
Keys ...................................................................................................72
Key 10.1: Dichotomous key .........................................................73–75
Key 10.2: Tabular key – Corallinaceae ...............................................76
Key 10.3: Tabular key – Hapalidiaceae and Sporolithaceae ..............77
Chapter 11. More involved lab procedures – thin
(microtome) sectioning and permanent slide preparation ..78
Chemicals and equipment ..................................................................78
Solution preparation ...........................................................................78
Picking off fertile fragments ................................................................79
Decalcifying fragments .......................................................................81
Staining ..............................................................................................81
Dehydration ........................................................................................81
Embedding in L.R. White resin ...........................................................81
Sectioning using a microtome ............................................................82
Making permanent slides ...................................................................82
List of full page figures, tables, and keys
LIST OF FULL PAGE FIGURES Figure 12.11 Melobesia membranacea ..................................106 & 107
PART B – General information Figure 12.12 Mesophyllum engelhartii ....................................108 & 109
Figure 2.2 Collection localities map ........................................12 & 13 Figure 12.13 Mesophyllum erubescens ..................................110 & 111
Figure 12.14 Mesophyllum macroblastum ..............................112 & 113
Figure 12.15 Mesophyllum printzianum ..................................114 & 115
PART C – Coralline essentials
Figure 12.16 Phymatolithon repandum ...................................116 & 117
Figure 7.1 Non-geniculate coralline growth forms ..................32 & 33
Figure 12.17 Synarthrophyton patena ....................................118 & 119
Figure 7.2 Coralline substrates .......................................................34
Figure 12.18 Synarthrophyton schielianum ............................120 & 121
Figure 7.3 Reproductive structures – basic morphology and anatomy .....36
Figure 12.19 Heydrichia homalopasta ....................................122 & 123
Figure 7.4 Reproductive structures – basic morphology and anatomy ......37
Figure 12.20 Sporolithon durum .............................................124 & 125
Figure 7.5 Simplified sexual cycle ...................................................38
Figure 7.6 Uniporate conceptacles .................................................40
Figure 7.7 Multiporate conceptacles ...............................................42
LIST OF TABLES AND KEYS
Figure 7.8 Calcified compartments .................................................44
Table 5.1 Diagnostic characters of families and subfamilies .........22
Figure 7.9 Male, female, and carposporangial conceptacles .........46
Table 5.2 Diagnostic characters separating genera ......................23
Figure 7.10 Vegetative characters ....................................................48
Table 6.1 Habitats and common substrates ..................................24
Table 8.1 Specimen information that may be needed for
PART D – Specimen identification
identification using the Flow chart key ...................54 & 55
Figure 8.2A Flow chart key – starting point .......................................56
Table 9.1. Simple lab procedures used to observe features in
Figure 8.2B Flow chart key – apparent uniporate conceptacles .......57
thicker plants ..................................................................66
Figure 8.2C Flow chart key – multiporate conceptacles ....................58
Table 9.2. Simple lab procedures used to observe features in
very thin plants ...............................................................67
Figure 9.10 Features observable with simple lab procedures – cell
Key 10.1 Dichotomous key .....................................................73–75
connections ....................................................................68
Key 10.2 Tabular key – Corallinaceae ..........................................76
Figure 9.11 Features observable with simple lab procedures –
Key 10.3 Tabular key – Hapalidiaceae and Sporolithaceae ..........77
reproductive features .....................................................69
Table 12.1 Species found in central New Zealand ..........................85
PART E – Species profiles
Figure 12.1 Lithophyllum carpophylli ........................................86 & 87
APPENDIX 1 – Table A1: Species at collection localities ...........138–140
Figure 12.2 Lithophyllum corallinae ..........................................88 & 89
Figure 12.3 Lithophyllum johansenii .........................................90 & 91
APPENDIX 2 – Table A2: Reference codes for specimens pictured
Figure 12.4 Lithophyllum pustulatum ........................................92 & 93
in the guide .......................................................141–145
Figure 12.5 Lithophyllum stictaeforme ......................................94 & 95
Figure 12.6 Hydrolithon improcerum .........................................96 & 97
Figure 12.7 Pneophyllum coronatum ........................................98 & 99
Figure 12.8 Pneophyllum fragile ...........................................100 & 101
Figure 12.9 Spongites yendoi ...............................................102 & 103
Figure 12.10 Choreonema thuretii ..........................................104 & 105
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Preface
This project on non-geniculate coralline algae had make information accessible to marine scientists and have been referred to as “pink paint”, completely
its genesis more than a decade ago. In the early resource managers, and to improve understanding of overlooking the diversity that may be present and
1990s Bill Woelkerling and I discussed how we could these algae, both through the production of this guide the complex ecological roles particular species may
begin to document New Zealand’s non-geniculate and through improved reference collections lodged in play. We hope that the production of this guide and
flora and increase recognition of the importance of the herbaria at Te Papa (WELT), Auckland Museum the underlying research that has been supported by
these species in coastal ecosystems. The gaps in our (AK), and Landcare Research (CHR). the Ministry of Fisheries will cause people to look
knowledge about the coralline algae of New Zealand more closely, and to recognise and document coastal
had been obvious for many years but the technical The taxonomic research using morphological and diversity including these key organisms, and that this
difficulties involved in working with these calcified anatomical characters which forms the basis of will lead to a better understanding of the dynamic
red algae, as well as the history of confused taxonomy this guide has been complemented with data from relationships between these algae and the coastal
and nomenclature for New Zealand species, meant molecular sequencing, carried out at the University flora and fauna.
that there were significant hurdles to be overcome. of Otago by Dr Judy Broom and Darren Hart. While
this work is not discussed in this guide, it forms a
The priority of this research work, which has been very important and exciting area of research making
funded by the Ministry of Fisheries Biodiversity use of new tools and approaches to better understand
Programme (ZBD2001/05), has been to develop a species relationships and identity. Wendy A. Nelson
reliable and durable reference, which can be used in National Centre for Aquatic Biodiversity & Biosecurity
fisheries and coastal management, as well as in marine In treatments of coastal communities, even within National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA)
resource protection and conservation. We wanted to recent publications, non-geniculate coralline algae Wellington, New Zealand
Chapter 1. How to use this guide, and its limitations
Identifying non-geniculate corallines poses certain corallines in the marine environment (Chapter 3). HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
challenges, particularly for the non-specialist. Many Chapter 4 presents a brief summary of past work 1. Become familiar with coralline structure
species can vary considerably in growth form and in New Zealand, and our current understanding of and reproduction
external appearance, thereby making reliable sight- coralline classification is explained in Chapter 5. The Coralline identification is based on vegetative and
recognition of most species difficult or impossible. collection and storage of specimens is dealt with in reproductive characters, and it is essential that users
Two individuals belonging to the same species can Chapter 6. of the guide become familiar with coralline structure
look quite different depending on age, habitat, and and reproduction (Chapter 7) before attempting
other factors. Likewise, specimens of two species that Part C – Coralline essentials identifications.
are quite different taxonomically often cannot be told Part C (Chapter 7) covers basic coralline structure
apart solely on the basis of growth form and external and reproduction. 2. Identify specimens
appearance. Thus, without further information, Once the user is familiar with those vegetative and
it generally is not possible to identify 17 of the 20 Part D – Specimen identification reproductive features, specimen identification can be
species included in this guide through immediate Part D (Chapters 8 to 11) deals with specimen achieved in two ways: ‘With direct observation and/or
use of the keys (Chapters 8 & 10) or a quick scan identification, and details various laboratory simple lab procedures’ (Chapters 8 and 9), or ‘Using
of the species profiles (Chapter 12). Rather, coralline procedures used to view important vegetative more involved lab procedures’ (Chapters 10 and 11).
identification is based on vegetative and reproductive and reproductive characters. The guide allows for The different chapters are intended for use by those
characters (detailed in Chapter 7), and use of the keys specimen identification to be achieved in two ways with various degrees of taxonomic knowledge and
relies on observation of these important anatomical (using either ‘simple’ or ‘more involved’ methods), access to specialised equipment.
and morphological features. and is structured this way to permit people with a
range of backgrounds and algal knowledge to use it. The primary objective of this guide is to make
coralline algal identification possible for a range of
ORGANISATION Note that in some chapters – e.g., Chapters 9 and 11 users, from professional phycologists to ecologists
The guide is divided into five major parts (A to E). – information from an earlier chapter is repeated, and non-professional naturalists interested in marine
These parts separate the various aspects of the guide with the intention that each chapter serves as a plants.
and are intended to make it easier to use. complete, stand-alone reference for use in the lab
or field. Chapters 8 and 9 are targeted at those with little algal
Part A – Using the guide knowledge and with access to basic lab facilities
Part A (Chapter 1) outlines the organisation of the Part E – Species profiles (i.e., slides, readily available chemicals, dissecting
guide and the different ways of using it. Part E (Chapter 12) includes ‘profiles’ of the 20 and compound microscopes). They contain a key
species covered in this guide. These profiles include for preliminary specimen identification (Chapter 8)
Part B – General information both field data (substrates, depth range, etc.) and and describe some simple lab procedures (e.g., the
Part B (Chapters 2 to 6) provides general information detailed anatomical and taxonomic information for preparation of temporary slides containing whole
about the New Zealand coralline project (Chapter species found in central New Zealand during the mounts or squashes) that can be used to observe basic
2) and the nature and significance of non-geniculate present study.
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features necessary for preliminary identification GENERAL LIMITATIONS OF THE GUIDE may not be identifiable because they represent
(Chapter 9). In using this guide, it is very important to remember species not included in the guide or not present in
its limitations. central New Zealand. Such specimens should not
In contrast, Chapters 10 and 11 are targeted at those be discarded but rather should be deposited in a
with a more comprehensive knowledge of algae  This guide is designed to help users identify registered New Zealand herbarium with suitable
and with access to the necessary chemicals and specimens of non-geniculate coralline algae notes (listed in item 14 on p. 28) so that they can
equipment required for thin sectioning and more collected in central New Zealand. It is a prelude be further assessed by specialists, particularly in
complete identification (e.g., L.R. White embedding to monographic studies, but should not be the context of monographic studies.
resin, microtome for making micrometre-thick considered a replacement or substitute.
sections). Keys for definitive specimen identification  The characteristics of species given in the species
are in Chapter 10, and the associated detailed lab  Most tetrasporangial (and bisporangial) specimens profiles (Chapter 12) are based on specimens
procedures on how to embed and section material and of the 20 species of non-geniculate corallines examined during the present study. New
make permanent slides are outlined in Chapter 11. covered in this guide should be identifiable specimens may show greater variation in some
using the techniques and keys provided. Not all characters (particularly measured characters such
3. Go to species profiles specimens, however, will be identifiable. Most as conceptacle size) than has been recorded here.
The species profiles (Chapter 12) provide detailed sterile specimens (i.e., without reproductive
information on the 20 species found in central New structures) cannot be identified, and most male  Published records for the entire New Zealand
Zealand during the present study. Identifications or female specimens cannot be fully identified in region for both geniculate and non-geniculate
made using Chapters 8 or 10 can be supported (or the absence of tetrasporangial (or bisporangial) corallines have been summarised by Woelkerling
rejected) by examining these profile figures. individuals (see Figure 7.5). This limitation also & Nelson (2004), and are not repeated here. The
applies to monographic studies. accuracy of previously published records requires
assessment in the context of monographic work,
ICONS ON PLATES  The sampling programme upon which this guide and experience in southern Australia (Woelkerling
Three icons follow magnification data on the plates: is based was extensive, but only a small fraction of 1997) suggests that many of these previously
the total central New Zealand coast was covered, published records are based on misidentifications
depicts plants, etc., as seen with the naked eye and most sampling sites were visited only once. or are otherwise untrustworthy.
This means that other species occurring in the
depicts conceptacles, etc., as seen with a region may have escaped detection.  The names used for species in this guide have
dissecting microscope or good hand lens been based (with one exception) on the study of
 This guide is designed and based on collections type material. Nevertheless, it is possible that
depicts sections, whole mounts, etc., as seen from central New Zealand. It has not been tested older names for some of the species included here
with a compound microscope on specimens collected outside this region. If will be discovered during monographic studies,
using the guide for specimens from other parts of thus necessitating adoption of a different name.
When structures on photos have not been measured
New Zealand, keep in mind that such specimens
accurately, a magnification range is given, along with
the appropriate icon.
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