Turbinaria | |
---|---|
Turbinaria ornata | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Clade: | Diaphoretickes |
Clade: | SAR |
Clade: | Stramenopiles |
Phylum: | Gyrista |
Subphylum: | Ochrophytina |
Class: | Phaeophyceae |
Order: | Fucales |
Family: | Sargassaceae |
Genus: | Turbinaria J.V.Lamouroux, 1825 |
Turbinaria is a genus of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) found primarily in tropical marine waters. It generally grows on rocky substrates. [1] In tropical Turbinaria species that are often preferentially consumed by herbivorous fishes and echinoids, there is a relatively low level of phenolics and tannins. [2]
The genus has shown promise as a way of removing lead from aqueous solutions. [3]
Turbinaria J.V. Lamouroux is a genus under family Sargassaceae, order Fucales, of the class Phaeophyceae (brown algae). Taxonomic classification is based on morphological characteristics including the shape of the leaves, vesicles, and receptacles, as well as the development of the axes. [4] The genus has received comparatively lesser attention than other genera under Sargassaceae, and like many seaweeds, the large degree of phenotypic plasticity exhibited by different species has led to many taxonomic uncertainties. [5] [6] The use of molecular analyses has been useful in this regard.
Turbinaria is characterized by an upright thallus with radially branched axes bearing blades. It has a tough texture. [4] The blades come in various forms described as stipitate, turbinate, crowned, and obpyramidal. [7] Its appearance resembles that of a long pinecone. The thallus is kept upright by a holdfast consisting of spread out branches growing from the main axes. Mature thalli possess receptacles, their reproductive organs which branch out from the tips of the stalks on the blades. [4]
Turbinaria is mainly distributed in tropical coral reefs but is also found in the subtropics and temperate regions. Southeast Asia as well as the Indian Ocean contain the highest diversity of the genus. Turbinaria ornata is the species with the widest distribution within the genus, ranging from the West Atlantic, to the Indo-Pacific, and East Africa. [4]
The genus can survive in various habitats such as tide pools, rocky intertidal zones, and forereefs, as well as up to depths of 30 meters, [4] as well as in habitats will varying levels of exposure. They have adapted different forms to suit their environments. [8] Thalli in habitats with high wave action tend to be shorter, tougher, and not buoyant which helps them withstand the harsh conditions. [9] [10] On the other hand, thalli in more sheltered habitats are longer, with weaker tissue, and develop buoyancy with sexual maturity. [11]
Turbinaria is one of the principal genera of macroalgae that have been observed to take over degraded reefs following losses in hard coral cover. [12] One of the reasons for this is that it has a higher thermal tolerance than some coral species giving it a competitive advantage during periods of high temperatures. [13] Its thalli can also cause abrasions on corals which can lead to death. [14] [15]
Species like Turbinaria ornata are monoecious and reproduce both sexually and asexually. The life cycle begins with a diploid thallus which releases haploid gametes which develop in its receptacles which contain oogonia for eggs, and antheridia for antherozoids. Fertilization occurs at the tip of the receptacle which results in a diploid zygote. [16] Asexual reproduction occurs via fragmentation and dispersal. Dispersal occurs in two modes: short ( < 1 m) and long distance (kms). [4]
Harvesting of Turbinaria is largely done by collecting drifting thalli on the water surface or directly from the substratum. [4] The genus is commonly harvested in India, Indonesia, and the Philippines for alginate production. [17] [18] [19] It is abundant year-round in French Polynesia and India, [20] [19] and is harvested seasonally in Indonesia. [18]
Turbinaria contains fucoxanthin which is a carotenoid pigment found in all brown algae. Its functions lie in the harvesting of light and energy transfer. [4] The genus has high levels of iron (893.7 ± 210.5 g−1 µg dry weight), [20] and has an affinity for arsenic and nickel, depending on the concentrations in the environments in which they grow. [4] It also has good potential for alginate production since it can yield up to 40% of its dry weight in alginate. [21] Turbinaria also contains fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. [22] [23]
The Genus Turbinaria is still chemically and pharmacologically underexplored. These brown algae belong to the family Sargassaceae. Therapeutic potentials of pure compounds isolated from the Genus Turbinaria are extraordinarily promising as antiproliferative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory immunostimulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, antiviral, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and hypolipidemic. Those activities are represented by diverse classes of compounds including sterols, amino acids, fatty acids, alcohols, halocarbons, hydrocarbons, carbohydrates, esters and cyclic tetrapyrrole compounds. [24]
Turbinaria is utilized for its alginate extracts, which are used as thickening, gelling, and stabilizing agents in food and drinks, as well as in cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. [25] The young thalli of Turbinaria ornata are consumed in Indonesia either fresh, salted, or with curry sauce. [26] Dried Turbinaria can be ground and used as seasoning. In Samoa, it is used as a stir-fry ingredient. [26] Brown algae are often used in animal feed as they can provide nutritional supplements and improve growth. [27] A study found that prawn feeds containing T. ornata supplements increased growth, survival, and digestion. [28] Turbinaria is also used as fertilizer [17] and pesticides [29] in many Asian countries.
AlgaeBase lists 32 current species of Turbinaria.: [30]
Kelps are large brown algae or seaweeds that make up the order Laminariales. There are about 30 different genera. Despite its appearance, kelp is not a plant but a stramenopile, a group containing many protists.
Brown algae are a large group of multicellular algae comprising the class Phaeophyceae. They include many seaweeds located in colder waters of the Northern Hemisphere. Brown algae are the major seaweeds of the temperate and polar regions. Many brown algae, such as members of the order Fucales, commonly grow along rocky seashores. Most brown algae live in marine environments, where they play an important role both as food and as a potential habitat. For instance, Macrocystis, a kelp of the order Laminariales, may reach 60 m (200 ft) in length and forms prominent underwater kelp forests that contain a high level of biodiversity. Another example is Sargassum, which creates unique floating mats of seaweed in the tropical waters of the Sargasso Sea that serve as the habitats for many species. Some members of the class, such as kelps, are used by humans as food.
Caulerpa is a genus of seaweeds in the family Caulerpaceae. They are unusual because they consist of only one cell with many nuclei, making them among the biggest single cells in the world.
Halimeda is a genus of green macroalgae. The algal body (thallus) is composed of calcified green segments. Calcium carbonate is deposited in its tissues, making it inedible to most herbivores. However one species, Halimeda tuna, was described as pleasant to eat with oil, vinegar, and salt.
Codium is a genus of edible green macroalgae under the order Bryopsidales. The genus name is derived from a Greek word that pertains to the soft texture of its thallus. One of the foremost experts on Codium taxonomy was Paul Claude Silva at the University of California, Berkeley. P.C. Silva was able to describe 36 species for the genus and in honor of his work on Codium, the species C. silvae was named after the late professor.
Turbinaria ornata is a tropical brown algae of the order Fucales native to coral reef ecosystems of the South Pacific. Turbinaria ornata is more commonly referred to as crowded sea bells in the US and crowned sea bells worldwide. It can quickly colonize these ecosystems due in part to its method of dispersing by detaching older and more buoyant fronds that travel on surface currents, sometimes in large rafts of many individual thalli, or fronds. Some scientists are investigating whether the increase in density of seaweeds, and a decrease in living coral density, on coral reef ecosystems indicates a change in the health of the reef, focusing studies on this particular species of brown alga.
Dictyotales is a large order in the brown algae containing the single family Dictyotaceae. Members of this order generally prefer warmer waters than other brown algae, and are prevalent in tropical and subtropical waters thanks to their many chemical defenses to ward off grazers. They display an isomorphic haplodiploid life cycle and are characterized by vegetative growth through a single apical cell. One genus in this order, Padina, is the only calcareous member of the brown algae.
Sargassum muticum, commonly known as Japanese wireweed or japweed, is a large brown seaweed of the genus Sargassum. It is an invasive seaweed with high growth rate. It has an efficient dispersion thanks to its floats.
Choristocarpaceae is a family in the order Discosporangiales of the brown algae. The family contains a single genus, Choristocarpus. The species is mostly located in the cold waters of the Northern hemisphere. A type of seaweed, Choristocarpaceae attaches itself to rocky substrate in places that are near continental shelves and the shore. Due to the species having morphological similarity, they were classified in closer relation with D. mesarthrocarpum. But due to many other differing characteristics Choristocarpaceae were put into their own family with a single genus and a single species of brown algae.
Hydroclathrus is a genus of perforate brown alga, of the phylum Ochrophyta and the class Phaeophyceae.
Aquaculture of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, is the cultivation of kelp for uses such as food, dietary supplements or potash. Giant kelp contains iodine, potassium, other minerals vitamins and carbohydrates.
Laurencia is a genus of red algae that grow in temperate and tropical shore areas, in littoral to sublittoral habitats, at depths up to 65 m (213 ft).
Ectocarpus is a genus of filamentous brown alga that is a model organism for the genomics of multicellularity. Among possible model organisms in the brown algae, Ectocarpus was selected for the relatively small size of its mature thallus and the speed with which it completes its life cycle. Tools available for Ectocarpus as a model species include a high quailty genome sequence and both forward and reverse genetic methodologies, the latter based on CRISPR-Cas9.
Silvetia is a genus of brown algae, commonly known as rockweed, found in the intertidal zone of rocky seashores of the Pacific Ocean. These were originally classified as members of the genus Pelvetia. In 1999, Silvetia sp. was created as a separate species from Pelvetia canaliculata due to differences of oogonium structure and of nucleic acid sequences of the rDNA. It was renamed in honor of Paul Silva, Curator of Algae at the Herbarium of the University of California, Berkeley. There are three species and one subspecies.
Lobophora is a genus of thalloid brown seaweed of the Phylum Ochrophyta; Class Phaeophyceae.
Hypnea is a genus of red algae, and a well known carrageenophyte.
Dictyota is a genus of brown seaweed in the family Dictyotaceae. Species are predominantly found in tropical and subtropical seas, and are known to contain numerous chemicals (diterpenes) which have potential medicinal value. As at the end of 2017, some 237 different diterpenes had been identified from across the genus.
Padina is a genus of brown macroalgae in the family Dictyotaceae.
Liagoraceae is a family of red algae (Rhodophyta) in the order Nemaliales. The type genus is LiagoraJ.V.Lamouroux.