Influence of temperature on the infradian growth rhythm in Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta)

Abstract

The vegetative growth of Ulva lactuca was studied to determine if the growth rate of the alga is driven by infradian rhythmicity. The influence of temperature on the infradian rhythm of growth was also investigated. Discs of Ulva were grown in controlled laboratory conditions at different combinations of temperature (5, 10, 15, 20°C) and irradiance (40 and 60 μmol photons m-2 s-1) under 12: 12 h light: dark cycles. The growth rates exhibited a rhythmic pattern with one major peak every 2 or 3 days. Growth at 5 or 10°C increased the prevalence of 3-day cycles and maintained U. lactuca in the vegetative growth stage. In contrast, growth at15 or 20°C provoked a predominance of the 2-day cycle and induced reproduction. The 2- or 3-day cycles were combined in longer cycles having a period close to 6 days. We suppose that the 2-, 3- and 6-day rhythms of physiological processes are related to large-scale Rossby and Kelvin waves, which produce oscillations in the geomagnetic field and seawater temperature with the same periods. The predominance of 2-day or 3-day fluctuations of the geomagnetic field and temperature probably determine the prevalence of reproduction and vegetative growth, respectively, in Ulva. © 2013 British Phycological Society.