Tropical lotic primary producers: Who has the most efficient photosynthesis in low-order stream ecosystems?

Autor(es)

Branco, Ciro C. Z. ; Riolfi, Thais A. ; Crulhas, Bruno P. ; Tonetto, Aurelio F. ; Bautista, Anna I. N. ; Necchi Junior, Orlando

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: FRESHWATER BIOLOGY; v. 62, n. 9, p. 14-pg., 2017-09-01.

Resumo

1. Photosynthetic performance was assessed for the main groups of primary producers of low-order tropical streams, comprising macroalgae (11 taxa of Chlorophyta, Rhodophyta and Xanthophyta plus Cyanobacteria), bryophytes (2), angiosperms (3), and the periphytic community, by means of the Chl-alpha fluorescence and oxygen evolution techniques. 2. Samples of primary producer were collected in nine stream reaches within the same drainage basin that were characterised as open or partially shaded. 3. Low values of compensation irradiance (I-c) were found for all species tested, suggesting that they are able to maintain an autotrophic metabolism even under very low irradiances. 4. Parameters derived from photosynthesis-irradiance curves revealed high values of the saturation parameter (I-k), associated with relative low values of photosynthetic efficiency (alpha ETR) and photoinhibition (beta ETR) for species of Chlorophyta and the periphyton, suggesting adaptation to high irradiance conditions. 5. Species of Rhodophyta, Xanthophyta, Bryophyta and angiosperms showed, in general low values of Ik and moderate to high values of alpha ETR and beta ETR, indicating typical photosynthetic responses of shade-adapted plants. 6. Chlorophyta and the periphyton showed high photosynthetic efficiency in high irradiance, and rhodophytes, bryophytes and angiosperms seemed to be more efficient in shaded stream stretches. 7. Considering that Cyanobacteria showed high values of the photosynthesis/respiration (P/R) ratio, we suggest that this group is the most efficient primary producer in a wide range of low-order tropical streams. This physiological trait could be a feature that favours the abundance of Cyanobacteria in the benthic primary producer community, as is often reported in the literature. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 11/04434-0 - Avaliação das respostas fotossintéticas de macroalgas lóticas sobre diferentes composições espectrais da radiação incidente
• Beneficiário: Bruno Pereira Crulhas
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Mestrado
• Processo FAPESP: 14/22952-6 - Estudos ecológicos experimentais em macroalgas lóticas: efeitos da complexidade de habitat, condições hidráulicas e de distúrbios físicos e da presença de herbicidas sobre o estabelecimento e desenvolvimento destes organismos
• Beneficiário: Ciro Cesar Zanini Branco
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular
• Processo FAPESP: 10/17864-0 - Estudos ecológicos experimentais em macroalgas lóticas
• Beneficiário: Ciro Cesar Zanini Branco
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular