Asparagopsis armata

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Asparagopsis armata
Two Diplodus vulgaris.JPG
( Diplodus vulgaris ). In the background, Asparagopsis armata
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Clade: Archaeplastida
Division: Rhodophyta
Class: Florideophyceae
Order: Bonnemaisoniales
Family: Bonnemaisoniaceae
Genus: Asparagopsis
Species:
A. armata
Binomial name
Asparagopsis armata
Synonyms

Falkenbergia rufolanosa

Asparagopsis armata is a species of marine red algae, in the family Bonnemaisoniaceae. [1] English name(s) include red harpoon weed. [2] They are multicellular eukaryotic organisms. This species was first described in 1855 by Harvey, [3] an Irish botanist who found the algae on the Western Australian coast. A. armata usually develops on infralittoral rocky bottoms around the seawater surface to around 40m of depth. Marine algae like A. armata are considered "autogenic ecosystem engineers" as they are at the very bottom of the food chain and control resource availability to other organisms in the ecosystem. [4]

Contents

Population distribution

A. armata is a species native to southern Australia and New Zealand (Southern hemisphere) and is thought to have slowly spread to the Northern hemisphere through the Mediterranean sea, as it is highly invasive. It can now also be found along the British Isles to Senegal as well. [5] The first Mediterranean A. armata was reported in Algeria in 1923. When first found, it seemed strange to find A. armata in this location due to the high summer seawater surface temperatures along southern Mediterranean coasts. However, it was later found that the particular cool water temperatures that stay below 25 °C would allow the species to survive locally during the summer. [3]

Morphology

The fully grown A. armata has sparse branches on which long stolons with harpoon-like hooks and erect shoots develop in all directions. The branches, stolons, and shoots ramify over and over again which give A. armata the thallus-like appearance. [3] The ultimate branchlets are filamentous and composed of three cell rows whereas the larger branches consist of a central medullary filament and a gelatinous matrix surrounded by a cortex 3 – 6 cells thick. [6] Gametophytes are terete and are around 200 mm in height. They form dense, pink intertwining clumps. A characteristic feature of this species is barbs, which attach the A. armata to the ocean benthic substrates. [7]

Life cycle

A. armata has a triphasic diplohaplontic heteromorphic life cycle. In this cycle, the three phases include: haploid carposporophyte, gametophyte and diploid zygote. Multiple phases of different morphology and ploidy contribute differently to the expansion potential of A. armata. Gametophytes of this species are microscopic carposoporophytes, which divide into tetrasporophytes that go through meiosis to be developed into the gametophyte.

A. armata has two morphologically different stages of development– the gametophyte stage and the tetrasporophyte stage.

Life cycle of A. armata.png

A. armata goes through haploid and gametophytic phases in a heteromorphic diplo-haplontic life cycle. [3] The A. armata gametophyte grows into adult form and goes through fecundation to produce diploid carposporophyte; which, then, divide into tetrasporophyte that goes through meiosis to be developed into the gametophyte. [8]

Impact of A. armata as an invasive species

The acceleration of marine biological invasions through increasing trade and travel also caused the transportation of A. armata to areas outside of their native range: Southern hemisphere. Once it is established, A. armata could rapidly spread and dominate the invaded environment without the direct intervention of human activity. [9] A. armata releases large amounts of toxic compounds to gain competitive advantage in the surrounding invaded area. [10] The impairment of invertebrates after exposure to this algal exudate is shown by significantly increased lipid  (and other biochemical biomarkers) content in the organisms such as common prawn and marine snail. [10] The critical impact that the exudate of A. armata causes, via secondary metabolites, severely decreases the survival rate of various species in the rock pool native communities. [10]

Halogenated metabolites

As a defense mechanism against its predators, A. armata produce halogenated metabolites that chase away herbivores and prevent biofouling. These halogenated metabolites are stored as a refractile inclusion inside specialized gland cells, and are activated with Bromine.

Gland cells of A. armata can take up to 10% of the algal volume, which is a large portion of the plant. Gland cell walls are thin in order to help the transfer of metabolites to the structures that connect the gland cells to the pericentral cells. These structures are stalk-like and allow the metabolite to move to the algae's surface. [11]

Methane emissions reduction in ruminants

In 2019, following laboratory studies on the effectiveness of Asparagopsis taxiformis in reducing ruminants' enteric methane emissions, a team from the University of California, Davis, demonstrated that a 1% inclusion of Asparagopsis armata in lactating dairy cows' feed resulted in a 67.2% decrease in methane produced. [12]

In 2021, CH4 Global became the first company in the world to be licensed by intellectual property holders FutureFeed to use Asparagopsis in livestock feed, with the aim of significantly reducing enteric methane emissions in ruminants. These licences enable CH4 Global to make methane reduction claims about the Asparagopsis in their product formulations in the New Zealand and Australian markets, [13] where the company has research and production facilities. A. armata is the dominant species of Asparagopsis in New Zealand. [14] CH4 Global worked with New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) to close the life cycle of the seaweed, which they accomplished in June of the same year, [15] enabling large quantities of the seaweed to be aquafarmed.

Sea Forest, based in Tasmania, Australia, and also a FutureFeed licensee, has chosen to focus exclusively on A. armata, and has worked with scientists at James Cook University, University of Tasmania, University of Technology Sydney, and University of New South Wales in Australia, and the University of Waikato in New Zealand, to find out how to trigger its reproduction. [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Palmaria palmata</i> Species of edible alga

Palmaria palmata, also called dulse, dillisk or dilsk, red dulse, sea lettuce flakes, or creathnach, is a red alga (Rhodophyta) previously referred to as Rhodymenia palmata. It grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is a well-known snack food. In Iceland, where it is known as söl, it has been an important source of dietary fiber throughout the centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florideophyceae</span> Class of algae

Florideophyceae is a class of exclusively multicellular red algae. They were once thought to be the only algae to bear pit connections, but these have since been found in the filamentous stage of the Bangiaceae. They were also thought only to exhibit apical growth, but there are genera known to grow by intercalary growth. Most, but not all, genera have three phases to the life cycle. In the subclass Nemaliophycidae there are three orders, Balbianiales, Batrachospermales, and Thoreales, which lives exclusively in freshwater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enteric fermentation</span> Digestive process that emits methane

Enteric fermentation is a digestive process by which carbohydrates are broken down by microorganisms into simple molecules for absorption into the bloodstream of an animal. Because of human agricultural reliance in many parts of the world on animals which digest by enteric fermentation, it is the second largest anthropogenic factor for the increase in methane emissions directly after fossil fuel use.

<i>Schmitzia hiscockiana</i> Species of alga

Schmitzia hiscockiana is a small, rare, red seaweed or marine alga of the phylum Rhodophyta or red algae. It was discovered and named in 1985.

<i>Polysiphonia</i> Genus of algae

Polysiphonia, known as red hair algae, is a genus of filamentous red algae with about 19 species on the coasts of the British Isles and about 200 species worldwide, including Crete in Greece, Antarctica and Greenland. Its members are known by a number of common names. It is in the order Ceramiales and family Rhodomelaceae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conceptacle</span> Specialized cavities in algae

Conceptacles are specialized cavities of marine and freshwater algae that contain the reproductive organs. They are situated in the receptacle and open by a small ostiole. Conceptacles are present in Corallinaceae, and Hildenbrandiales, as well as the brown Fucales. In the Fucales there is no haploid phase in the reproductive cycle and therefore no alternation of generations. The thallus is a sporophyte. The diploid plants produce male (antheridia) and female (oogonia) gametangia by meiosis. The gametes are released into the surrounding water; after fusion, the zygote settles and begins growth.

<i>Rhodochorton</i> Genus of algae

Rhodochorton is a genus of filamentous red alga adapted to low light levels. It may form tufts or a thin purple "turf" up to 5 millimetres high. The filaments branch infrequently, usually at the tips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red algae</span> Division of plant life

Red algae, or Rhodophyta, make up one of the oldest groups of eukaryotic algae. The Rhodophyta comprises one of the largest phyla of algae, containing over 7,000 recognized species within over 900 genera amidst ongoing taxonomic revisions. The majority of species (6,793) are Florideophyceae, and mostly consist of multicellular, marine algae, including many notable seaweeds. Red algae are abundant in marine habitats. Approximately 5% of red algae species occur in freshwater environments, with greater concentrations in warmer areas. Except for two coastal cave dwelling species in the asexual class Cyanidiophyceae, no terrestrial species exist, which may be due to an evolutionary bottleneck in which the last common ancestor lost about 25% of its core genes and much of its evolutionary plasticity.

<i>Asparagopsis taxiformis</i> Species of seaweed

Asparagopsis taxiformis, formerly A. sanfordiana, is a species of red algae, with cosmopolitan distribution in tropical to warm temperate waters. Researchers have demonstrated that feeding ruminants a diet containing 0.2% A. taxiformis seaweed reduced their methane emissions by nearly 99 percent.

<i>Apophlaea</i> Genus of algae

Apophlaea is a genus of thalloid algae that is endemic to New Zealand. Species in the genus are found in the high intertidal zone on New Zealand's coasts. Specimens can reach around 15 cm in size. The thalli take a crustose form, but also contain upright, branching frond-like protrusions that reach 5–8 cm in height. Secondary pit connections and secondary pit connectionsare present in the organisms. Apophlaea reproduces by means of conceptacles; it produces tetraspores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bangiales</span> Order of red algae

Bangiales is an order of multicellular red algae of the class Bangiophyceae containing the families Bangiaceae, Granufilaceae, and possibly the extinct genus Rafatazmia with one species, Rafatazmia chitrakootensis. They are one of the oldest eukaryotic organisms, possibly dating back to 1.6 billion years old. Many species are used today as food in different cultures worldwide. Their sizes range from microscopic (Bangiomorpha) to up to two meters long. Many of its species are affected by Pythium porphyrae, a parasitic oomycete. Similar to many other species of red algae, they reproduce both asexually and sexually. They can be both filamentous or foliose, and are found worldwide.

<i>Amphiroa</i> Genus of algae

Amphiroa is a genus of thalloid red algae under the family Corallinaceae.

<i>Jania</i> (alga) Genus of algae

Jania is a genus of red macroalgae with hard, calcareous, branching skeletons in the family Corallinaceae.

<i>Cordylecladia erecta</i> Species of alga

Cordylecladia erecta is a species of red algae in the family Rhodymeniaceae. It is found in the north east Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and is the type species of the genus.

<i>Asparagopsis</i> Genus of algae

Asparagopsis is a genus of edible red macroalgae (Rhodophyta). The species Asparagopsis taxiformis is found throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, while Asparagopsis armata is found in warm temperate regions. Both species are highly invasive, and have colonised the Mediterranean Sea. A third accepted species is A. svedelii, while others are of uncertain status.

<i>Bonnemaisonia hamifera</i> Species of alga

Bonnemaisonia hamifera is a species of red alga in the family Bonnemaisoniaceae. Originally from the Pacific Ocean, it has been introduced into the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, where it is considered invasive on European coasts. It exists in two phases which, at one time, were thought to be different species; a medium-sized feathery form attached to other seaweeds, and a small tufted form known as Trailliella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batrachospermaceae</span> Family of algae

Batrachospermaceae is a family of fresh water red algae (Rhodophyta). Genera within the Batrachospermaceae generally have a "Lemanea-type" life history with carpospores germinating to produce chantransia. Sporophyte phase with meiosis occurs in an apical cell to produce the gametophyte stage. Pit connections have two pit plug cap layers with the other layer enlarged. This family of freshwater red algae is uniaxial, meaning each filament with a single apical cell. The genera included within Batrachospermaceae are listed in the table below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FutureFeed</span>

FutureFeed was established by Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) for seaweed as a ruminant livestock feed ingredient that can reduce methane emissions by 80% or more. FutureFeed holds the global intellectual property to use Asparagopsis for livestock feed. Lowered methane emissions can be achieved by the addition of a small amount of the seaweed into the daily diet of livestock. This discovery was made by a team of scientists from CSIRO and James Cook University (JCU), supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), who came together in 2013 to investigate the methane reduction potential of various native Australian seaweeds.

Crustaphytum is a genus of red alga first discovered in Taoyuan algal reefs by Taiwanese scientists. The epithet “crusta” refers to crustose thallus and “phytum” refers to plant. Belonging to the family Hapalidiaceae in the order Hapalidiales, Crustaphytum is one kind of crustose coralline algae.

Titanophora is a genus of seaweeds belonging to family Schizymeniaceae of the order Nemastomatales.

References

  1. Zanolla, M. (2015). "Photosynthetic Plasticity of the Genus Asparagopsis (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta) in Response to Temperature: Implications for Invasiveness". Biological Invasions. 17 (5): 1341–1353. doi:10.1007/s10530-014-0797-8. S2CID   18279567.
  2. "MarLIN - The Marine Life Information Network - Harpoon weed (Asparagopsis armata)". www.marlin.ac.uk. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Andreakis, Nikos; Procaccini, Gabriele; Kooistra, Wiebe HCF (2004-08-01). "Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata (Bonnemaisoniales, Rhodophyta): genetic and morphological identification of Mediterranean populations". European Journal of Phycology. 39 (3): 273–283. doi:10.1080/0967026042000236436. ISSN   0967-0262. S2CID   84044248.
  4. Crooks, J.A. (2002). "Characterizing ecosystem-level consequences of Biological Invasions, the role of ecosystem engineers". Oikos. 97 (2): 153–166. doi:10.1034/j.1600-0706.2002.970201.x.
  5. Dixon, P.S.; Irvine, L.M. (1977). Seaweeds of the British Isles : Vol. 1: Rhodophyta Part 1: Introduction, Nemaliales, Gigartinales. British Museum. ISBN   0-565-00781-5. OCLC   769250096.
  6. Børgesen, Frederik (1913). The marine Algæ of the Danish West Indies. Copenhagen: Printed by B. Luno. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.1314.
  7. "Asparagopsis armata - Invasive Alien Species Fact Sheet for Mediterranean Network of MPAs". Online Database MedMIS IUCN Center for Mediterranean Cooperation.
  8. Guiry, Michael D.; Dawes, Clinton J. (1992-06-25). "Daylength, temperature and nutrient control of tetrasporogenesis in Asparagopsis armata (Rhodophyta)". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 158 (2): 197–217. doi:10.1016/0022-0981(92)90227-2. ISSN   0022-0981.
  9. Richardson, D. M. (2011). Fifty years of invasion ecology : the legacy of Charles Elton. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN   978-1-4443-3585-9. OCLC   652743661.
  10. 1 2 3 Silva, Carla; Novais, Sara; Soares, Amadeu; Barata, Carlos; Lemos, Marco (2020). "Impacts of the Invasive Seaweed Asparagopsis armata Exudate on Energetic Metabolism of Rock Pool Invertebrates". Toxins. 13 (1): 15. doi: 10.3390/toxins13010015 . PMC   7823594 . PMID   33375546.
  11. Paul, Nicholas A.; Cole, Louise; Nys, Rocky De; Steinberg, Peter D. (2006). "Ultrastructure of the Gland Cells of the Red Alga Asparagopsis Armata (bonnemaisoniaceae)1". Journal of Phycology. 42 (3): 637–645. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00226.x. ISSN   1529-8817. S2CID   85291068.
  12. Roque, Breanna M.; Salwen, Joan K.; Kinley, Rob; Kebreab, Ermias (October 10, 2019). "Inclusion of Asparagopsis armata in lactating dairy cows' diet reduces enteric methane emission by over 50 percent". Journal of Cleaner Production. 234: 132–138. doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.193. S2CID   197795543 via Elsevier Science Direct.
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  15. "Research Collaboration Uncovers Mechanisms To Trigger Spore Release For Asparagopsis Seaweed | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. June 4, 2021. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  16. Hughes, Lesley (2022-09-02). "From designing clothes to refashioning cow burps: Sam's $40 million career switch". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2022-12-05.