Species diversity and distribution of non-geniculate coralline algae along the gradient from seaweed beds to barren grounds

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26850123
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Aquatic bioproduction science
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: Kato Aki 広島大学, 生物圏科学研究科, 准教授 (00452962)
• Research Collaborator: BABA MASASUKE 公益財団法人海洋生物環境研究所, 中央研究所, 所長代理 (50541059) ; YOSHIDA GORO 国立研究開発法人水産総合技術センター, 瀬戸内海区水産研究所, グループ長 (40371968)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 無節サンゴモ / 地球温暖化 / 磯焼け / 藻場 / 石灰藻 / サンゴモ平原 / 水温上昇

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Degradation of seaweed beds and expansion of barren grounds have recently been reported along the coasts of Kuroshio Current. Molecular-phylogenic and ecological research on non-geniculate coralline algae, which are representative seaweeds of barren grounds, were conducted to elucidate taxonomic definitions of species distributed from seaweed beds to barren grounds and even species compositions accompanied with these environmental changes. From the west coasts of the Seto Inland Sea to the south-west coast of Kochi Prefecture and the vicinity, 21 species of 11 genera including two newly recorded species from Japan were found. Especially, respective Lithophyllum okamurae and L. kotschyanum were classified into two species based on type specimens and fresh collections from their type localities. In this study, tropical non-geniculate species were found from the south of where tropical Sargassum was found, indicating slowness of growth and dispersal of non-geniculate coralline algae.

Free Research Field

海藻類の系統分類・生理生態