Temperature controls on coralline algal skeletal growth

Kamenos, N.A. and Law, A. (2010) Temperature controls on coralline algal skeletal growth. Journal of Phycology, 46(2), pp. 331-335. (doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2009.00780.x)

Abstract

Many marine and terrestrial organisms lay down regular growth bands. In some species (e.g., trees), control of growth band geometry is related to environmental conditions. Coralline algae are long-lived marine plants with a global distribution that lay down regular calcitic growth bands composed of more- and less-extensively calcified cells. Little is known about environmental and organism controls on their growth. In this investigation, coralline algae (Lithothamnion glaciale Kjellm.) were grown at 8, 11, and 15°C, and temperature controls on algal growth were considered. Calcite density within less-extensively calcified cells in L. glaciale was negatively correlated to summer temperature. No relationships were observed between temperature and calcite density in more-extensively calcified cells or growth-band width itself. Additionally, temperature controls on growth in three L. glaciale thalli over the last 50 years were considered. Temperature was negatively related to calcite density in more- and less-extensively calcified cells but showed no consistent relationship with band width.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kamenos, Professor Nick
• Authors: Kamenos, N.A., and Law, A.
• Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Phycology
• ISSN: 0022-3646