Hydrodynamic Regulation of Reproduction in Fucoid Algae: A Regional Model and Consequences for Population Structure

褐藻主宰了北大西洋的大部分岩石海岸，并对沿海生态系统的结构做出了重大贡献。岩藻的繁殖对水动力条件很敏感，因为配子只有在平静的条件下才会释放，因此可以获得很高的受精成功率。这些发现对种群间配子释放的异步性和种群隔离的规模具有重要的意义。这项研究将1)测试一个描述何时可以发生成功的岩藻繁殖的新生模型，2)确定当湍流条件下配子释放延迟时，是否发生了泡状褐藻与其他岩藻的杂交，以及3)分析由于海岸地形的不同水文条件是否与泡状褐藻的遗传分化有关。将收集海岸点(和较小地物)两侧多个地点配子释放的定量数据。这将决定岩藻的配子释放是否在小的空间尺度上发生在不同的时间，这是由于起伏的海岸线两侧不同的海浪和风暴露造成的。现已有识别岩藻精子的物种特异性单抗；它们和所需的泵/浓缩设备已在佩马奎德点成功测试。将收集当地环境数据(例如，风速、光照水平、水运动)，并与NOAA国家数据浮标中心站等监测系统的数据进行比较。缅因州海岸几千年来一直是稳定的；如果沿海的泡囊扇贝在地形碎片中繁殖隔离，种群遗传结构可能会受到影响。这将通过对随机收集的成年人进行AFLP分析来检验。暴风雨推迟了岩藻的配子释放，实验室研究预测，如果过成熟的卵子参与受精，自然杂交将急剧增加。这一点将在现场研究中得到验证，包括杂交潜力、已实现的杂交以及在潮间带的杂交位置的鉴定。假想的环境相互作用与发育作为杂交和遗传结构的调节因素，可能会对横跨北大西洋的潮间带群落产生强烈的局部和生物地理影响。在这项研究的产品中，将有一个关于岩藻繁殖的可靠的区域模式，作为相关物理因素(即风速和风向、波高、光照水平)的函数。

Fucoid algae dominate most rocky shores across the north Atlantic and contribute substantially to structuring of the coastal ecosystem. Reproduction in fucoid algae is sensitive to hydrodynamic conditions, resulting in high fertilization success because gamete release occurs only under calm conditions. These findings have important implications for asynchrony in gamete release between populations and the scale of population isolation. This study will 1) test a nascent model describing when successful fucoid reproduction can occur, 2) determine whether hybridization between Fucus vesiculosus and other fucoid algae occurs when gamete release is delayed by turbulent conditions, and 3) analyze whether genetic differentiation in F. vesiculosus is correlated with variable hydrologic conditions due to coastal topography. Quantitative data on gamete release at multiple sites on opposite sides of coastal points (and smaller features) will be collected. This will determine whether gamete release in fucoids occurs at different times over small spatial scales due to variable wave and wind exposures across opposite sides of the undulating coastline. Species-specific monoclonal antibodies to recognize fucoid sperm are available; they and the required pump/concentration apparatus have been tested successfully at Pemaquid Point. Local environmental data (e.g., wind speed, light levels, water motion) will be collected and compared with data from monitoring systems such as NOAA's National Data Buoy Center stations. Maine shores have been stable for thousands of years; if the coastal F. vesiculosus is reproductively isolated in topographic fragments, population genetic structure may be affected. This will be tested with AFLP analysis of randomly collected adults. Storms delay gamete release from fucoid algae, and laboratory studies predict that natural hybridization will increase sharply if over-mature eggs participate in fertilizations. This will be tested in field studies of hybridization potential, achieved hybridization, and identification of hybrid position in the intertidal zone in F. spiralis versus F. vesiculosus (Maine) and F. serratus (an exotic) versus F. vesiculosus (Nova Scotia). The hypothesized environmental interaction with development as a regulator of hybridization and genetic structure in F. vesiculosus (and other fucoids) could have strong local and biogeographic effects on intertidal communities across the north Atlantic. Among the products of this research will be a robust regional model for fucoid reproduction as a function of relevant physical factors (i.e., wind speed and direction, wave height, light levels).