title: Allelopathic interactions between the opportunistic species Ulva prolifera and the native macroalga Gracilaria lichvoides.
abstract: Allelopathy, one type of direct plant competition, can be a potent mechanism through which plant communities are structured. The aim of this study was to determine whether allelopathic interactions occur between the opportunistic green tide-forming species Ulva prolifera and the native macroalga Gracilaria lichvoides, both of which were collected from the coastline of East China sea. In laboratory experiments, the presence of G. lichvoides at 1.25 g wet weight L(-1) significantly inhibited growth and photosynthesis of U. prolifera at concentrations of 1.25, 2.50, and 3.75 g wet weight L(-1) (p<0.05) in both semi-continuous co-culture assays and in co-culture assays without nutrient supplementation. In contrast, although U. prolifera had a density effect on G. lichvoides, the differences among treatments were not significant (p>0.05). Culture medium experiments further confirmed that some allelochemicals may be released by both of the tested macroalgae, and these could account for the observed physiological inhibition of growth and photosynthesis. Moreover, the native macroalgae G. lichvoides was a stronger competitor than the opportunistic species U. prolifera. Collectively, the results of the present study represent a significant advance in exploring ecological questions about the effects of green tide blooms on the macroalgal community.
authors.affiliation: Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Zhengquan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Xiaowen
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Yitao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Demao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhimeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.forename: Naihao
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005502:Food; D044724:Gracilaria / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D018521:Plant Physiological Phenomena; D044445:Ulva / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*