Publications

Murray, SA 2009, Diversity and phylogenetics of sand-dwelling dinoflagellates, 1, VDM Verlag, Germany.

Ajani, PA & Rissik, D 2009, 'Coastal and marine phytoplankton: diversity and ecology' in Suthers, I & Rissik, D (eds), Plankton, A Guide to Their Ecology and Monitoring for Water Quality, CSIRO Publishing, pp. 141-155.

Rissik, D, van Senden, D, Doherty, M, Ingleton, I, Ajani, PA, Bowling, L, Gibbs, M, Gladstone, M, Kobayashi, T, Suthers, I & Froneman, W 2009, 'Plankton-related water quality issues' in Suthers, I & Rissik, D (eds), Plankton, A Guide to Their Ecology and Monitoring for Water Quality, CSIRO Publishing, pp. 39-72.

Suggett, DJ & Moore, CM 2009, 'Fluorometry for Biological Sensing' in Encyclopedia of Ocean Sciences, pp. 581-588.
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Light-absorbing pigments cause many marine organisms to naturally fluoresce, a phenomenon whereby light is emitted at a longer wavelength following light absorption at a shorter wavelength. Fluorescence provides a relatively unobtrusive signature of organism abundance and physiology; consequently, a wide variety of fluorescence techniques are now routinely employed in marine biological investigations. Important technological advances throughout the last 20 years have enabled exploration of the taxonomy and physiology of marine organisms with increasing complexity. In particular, the intracellular use of fluorescent tags, molecules, and dyes that covalently bind to sensing biomolecules. However, many such techniques require samples to be removed from nature. Most widespread for assaying biology in situ exploits the fluorescence emitted from chlorophyll a, the predominant light harvesting pigment inherent to all (micro)algae, cyanobacteria, and aquatic vascular plants. Measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence were introduced in the 1960s to improve estimates of phytoplankton abundance. By the 1990s, this field had evolved to enable the physiology and productivity of primary producers to be examined at scales from the single cell to entire ocean basins. Current remote sensing algorithms concentrate on better describing the relationship between primary productivity and natural fluorescence that is emitted from solar excitation. While several major challenges exist in achieving this goal, such approaches provide great promise for accurately characterizing the role of marine primary productivity during this period of extreme climate change. © 2009 Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acuna Alvarez, L, Exton, D, Timmis, K, Suggett, DJ & Mcgenity, T 2009, 'Characterization Of Marine Isoprene-degrading Communities', Environmental Microbiology, vol. 11, no. 12, pp. 3280-3291.
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P>Isoprene is a volatile and climate-altering hydrocarbon with an atmospheric concentration similar to that of methane. It is well established that marine algae produce isoprene; however, until now there was no specific information about marine isoprene sinks. Here we demonstrate isoprene consumption in samples from temperate and tropical marine and coastal environments, and furthermore show that the most rapid degradation of isoprene coincides with the highest rates of isoprene production in estuarine sediments. Isoprene-degrading enrichment cultures, analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and by culturing, were generally dominated by Actinobacteria, but included other groups such as Alphaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, previously not known to degrade isoprene. In contrast to specialist methane-oxidizing bacteria, cultivated isoprene degraders were nutritionally versatile, and nearly all of them were able to use n-alkanes as a source of carbon and energy. We therefore tested and showed that the ubiquitous marine hydrocarbon-degrader, Alcanivorax borkumensis, could also degrade isoprene. A mixture of the isolates consumed isoprene emitted from algal cultures, confirming that isoprene can be metabolized at low, environmentally relevant concentrations, and suggesting that, in the absence of spilled petroleum hydrocarbons, algal production of isoprene could maintain viable populations of hydrocarbon-degrading microbes. This discovery of a missing marine sink for isoprene is the first step in obtaining more robust predictions of its flux, and suggests that algal-derived isoprene provides an additional source of carbon for diverse microbes in the oceans.

Andrews, M, Lea, PJ, Raven, JA & Azevedo, RA 2009, 'Nitrogen use efficiency. 3. Nitrogen fixation: genes and costs', ANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, vol. 155, no. 1, pp. 1-13.
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Arotsker, L, Siboni, N, Ben-Dov, E, Kramarsky-Winter, E, Loya, Y & Kushmaro, A 2009, 'Vibrio sp as a potentially important member of the Black Band Disease (BBD) consortium in Favia sp corals', FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, vol. 70, no. 3, pp. 515-524.
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Ashworth, J & Baker, D 2009, 'Assessment of the optimization of affinity and specificity at proteinDNA interfaces', NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH, vol. 37, no. 10.
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Baird, AH, Bhagooli, R, Ralph, PJ & Takahashi, S 2009, 'Coral bleaching: the role of the host', Trends In Ecology & Evolution, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 16-20.
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Coral bleaching caused by global warming is one of the major threats to coral reefs. Very recently, research has focused on the possibility of corals switching symbionts as a means of adjusting to accelerating increases in sea surface temperature. Although symbionts are clearly of fundamental importance, many aspects of coral bleaching cannot be readily explained by differences in symbionts among coral species. Here we outline several potential mechanisms by which the host might influence the bleaching response, and conclude that predicting the fate of corals in response to climate change requires both members of the symbiosis to be considered equally.

Bartlett, CY, Manua, C, Cinner, J, Sutton, S, Jimmy, R, South, R, Nilson, J & Raina, J 2009, 'Comparison of Outcomes of Permanently Closed and Periodically Harvested Coral Reef Reserves', Conservation Biology, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 1475-1484.
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In many areas of the developing world, the establishment of permanent marine reserves is inhibited by cultural norms or socioeconomic pressures. Community conserved areas that are periodically harvested are increasingly being implemented as fisheries management tools, but few researchers have empirically compared them with permanently closed reserves. We used a hierarchal control-impact experimental design to compare the abundance and biomass of reef fishes, invertebrates, and substrate composition in periodically harvested and permanent reserves and in openly fished (control sites) of the South Pacific island country of Vanuatu. Fished species had significantly higher biomass in periodically harvested reserves than in adjacent openly fished areas. We did not detect differences in substratum composition between permanent reserves and openly fished areas or between permanent reserves and periodically harvested reserves. Giant clams (tridacnids) and top shells (Trochus niloticus) were vulnerable to periodic harvest, and we suggest that for adequate management of these species, periodically harvested community conservation areas be used in conjunction with other management strategies. Periodic harvest within reserves is an example of adaptive and flexible management that may meet conservation goals and that is suited to the social, economic, and cultural contexts of many coastal communities in the developing world.

Bar-zeev, E, Berman-frank, I, Stambler, N, Vazquez-dominguez, E, Zohary, T, Capuzzo, E, Meeder, E, Suggett, DJ, Iluz, D, Dishon, G & Berman, T 2009, 'Transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) link phytoplankton and bacterial production in the Gulf of Aqaba', Aquatic Microbial Ecology, vol. 56, no. 2-3, pp. 217-225.
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Variations in transparent exopolymer particles (TEP), bacterial biomass production (BP) and primary productivity (PP) were followed over 52 h at a deep water station in the Gulf of Aqaba (Eilat, Israel) during the spring, in April 2008. About 20 h after the start of the study, there was a short (~15 h) but intense storm event that probably caused a nutrient pulse and, subsequently, a brief outgrowth of diatoms in the euphotic layer. Concentrations of TEP and BP ranged from 23 to 228 µg gum xanthan equivalents l1 and from 0.2 to 0.6 µg C l1 h1, respectively. Concentrations of TEP and BP were measured in unfiltered and in GF/C (1.2 µm)-prefiltered samples. Most of the TEP (59 ± 21% of total TEP, mean ± SD) were in the smaller (GF/C-filtered) size fraction (0.41.2 µm); however, after the crash of the diatom bloom, the majority of TEP were in the >1.2 µm size fraction. In the GF/C-filtered fraction, BP averaged 59 ± 12% and 93 ± 5% of total BP in the upper water column and from 300 m, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between TEP and BP, suggesting that active heterotrophic bacteria may have been associated with these particles. During the 3 d of our study, PP and BP in the euphotic zone averaged 480 and 225 mg C m2 d1, respectively, suggesting that about half or more of the primary produced carbon was metabolized by heterotrophic bacteria in the upper water column. Coincident with strong mixing caused by the storm, TEP concentrations decreased in the surface water and increased at depth. We suggest that TEP acted to link carbon flux between the primary producers and heterotrophic bacteria, and that the downward movement of TEP from the upper water layers may be an important process in transferring organic carbon to deeper waters of the Gulf of Aquaba. Sinking TEP could provide not only organic carbon substrates for associated bacteria but also form `hot spots of elevated microbial metabolism and nutrient cycling throughout the water column.

Beardall, J, Allen, D, Bragg, J, Finkel, ZV, Flynn, KJ, Quigg, A, Rees, TAV, Richardson, A & Raven, JA 2009, 'Allometry and stoichiometry of unicellular, colonial and multicellular phytoplankton', NEW PHYTOLOGIST, vol. 181, no. 2, pp. 295-309.
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Belli, SI, Ferguson, DJ, Katrib, M, Slapetova, I, Mai, K, Slapeta, J, Flowers, SA, Miska, KB, Tomley, FM, Shirley, M, Wallach, M & Smith, NC 2009, 'Conservation of proteins involved in oocyst wall formation in Eimeria maxima, Eimeria tenella and Eimeria acervulina', International Journal For Parasitology, vol. 39, no. 10, pp. 1063-1070.
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Vaccination with proteins from gametocytes of Eimeria maxima protects chickens, via transfer of maternal antibodies, against infection with several species of Eimeria. Antibodies to E. maxima gametocyte proteins recognise proteins in the wall forming bodies of macrogametocytes and oocyst walls of E. maxima, Eimeria tenella and Eimeria acervulina. Homologous genes for two major gametocyte proteins GAM56 and GAM82 were found in E. maxima, E. tenella and E. acervulina. Alignment of the predicted protein sequences of these genes reveals that, as well as sharing regions of tyrosine richness, strong homology exists in their amino-terminal regions, where protective antibodies bind. This study confirms the conservation of the roles of GAM56 and GAM82 in oocyst wall formation and shows that antibodies to gametocyte antigens of E. maxima cross-react with homologous proteins in other species, helping to explain cross-species maternal immunity.

Buxton, LJ, Badger, M & Ralph, PJ 2009, 'Effects Of Moderate Heat Stress And Dissolved Inorganic Carbon Concentration On Photosynthesis And Respiration Of Symbiodinium Sp (Dinophyceae) In Culture And In Symbiosis', Journal of Phycology, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 357-365.
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The influence of temperature and inorganic carbon (C-i) concentration on photosynthesis was examined in whole corals and samples of cultured symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium sp.) using combined measurements from a membrane inlet mass spectrometer and chl a fluorometer. In whole corals, O-2 production at 26 degrees C was significantly limited at C-i concentrations below ambient seawater (similar to 2.2 mM). Further additions of C-i up to similar to 10 mM caused no further stimulation of oxygenic photosynthesis. Following exposure to 30 degrees C (2 d), net oxygen production decreased significantly in whole corals, as a result of reduced production of photosynthetically derived oxygen rather than increased host consumption. Whole corals maintained a rate of oxygen evolution around eight times lower than cultured Symbiodinium sp. at inorganic carbon concentrations < 2 mM, but cultures displayed greater levels of photoinhibition following heat treatment (30 degrees C, 2 d). Whole corals and cultured zooxanthellae differed considerably in their responses to C-i concentration and moderate heat stress, demonstrating that cultured Symbiodinium make an incongruous model for those in hospite. Reduced net oxygen evolution, in whole corals, under conditions of low C-i (< 2 mM) has been interpreted in terms of possible sink limitation leading to increased nonphotochemical energy dissipation. The advantages of combined measurement of net gas exchange and fluorometry offered by this method are discussed.

Cinner, JE, McClanahan, TR, Graham, NAJ, Pratchett, MS, Wilson, SK & Raina, J 2009, 'Gear-based fisheries management as a potential adaptive response to climate change and coral mortality', Journal of Applied Ecology, vol. 46, pp. 724-732.
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Cockell, CS, Kaltenegger, L & Raven, JA 2009, 'Cryptic Photosynthesis-Extrasolar Planetary Oxygen Without a Surface Biological Signature', ASTROBIOLOGY, vol. 9, no. 7, pp. 623-636.
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Cockell, CS, Leger, A, Fridlund, M, Herbst, TM, Kaltenegger, L, Absil, O, Beichman, C, Benz, W, Blanc, M, Brack, A, Chelli, A, Colangeli, L, Cottin, H, du Foresto, FC, Danchi, WC, Defrere, D, den Herder, J-W, Eiroa, C, Greaves, J, Henning, T, Johnston, KJ, Jones, H, Labadie, L, Lammer, H, Launhardt, R, Lawson, P, Lay, OP, LeDuigou, J-M, Liseau, R, Malbet, F, Martin, SR, Mawet, D, Mourard, D, Moutou, C, Mugnier, LM, Ollivier, M, Paresce, F, Quirrenbach, A, Rabbia, YD, Raven, JA, Rottgering, HJA, Rouan, D, Santos, NC, Selsis, F, Serabyn, E, Shibai, H, Tamura, M, Thiebaut, E, Westall, F & White, GJ 2009, 'Darwin-A Mission to Detect and Search for Life on Extrasolar Planets', ASTROBIOLOGY, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 1-22.
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Cockell, CS, Raven, JA, Kaltenegger, L & Logan, RC 2009, 'Planetary targets in the search for extrasolar oxygenic photosynthesis', PLANT ECOLOGY & DIVERSITY, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 207-219.
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Collier, C, Lavery, P, Ralph, PJ & Masini, R 2009, 'Shade-induced response and recovery of the seagrass Posidonia sinuosa', Journal Of Experimental Marine Biology And Ecology, vol. 370, no. 1-2, pp. 89-103.
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The effect of shading on the seagrass Posidonia sinuosa Cambridge et Kuo was investigated to identify mechanisms that prolong its survival during periods of low light and permit its subsequent recovery. We also tested whether the responses were consistent in plants growing at different depths. Shade treatments were low (LS; 70 - 100% of ambient Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density), medium (MS; 12 - 39%) and heavy (HS; 5 - 4%) at the shallow (3 - 4 m) site, whilst the deep (7 - 8 m) site had no HS treatment. HS at the shallow and MS at the deep site were below minimum light requirements (MLR) for the long-term survival of P. sinuoso.

da Rocha, HR, Manzi, AO, Cabral, OM, Miller, SD, Goulden, ML, Saleska, SR, Coupe, NR, Wofsy, SC, Borma, LS, Artaxo, P, Vourlitis, G, Nogueira, JS, Cardoso, FL, Nobre, AD, Kruijt, B, Freitas, HC, von Randow, C, Aguiar, RG & Maia, JF 2009, 'Patterns of water and heat flux across a biome gradient from tropical forest to savanna in Brazil', JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES, vol. 114.
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Dimier, C, Brunet, C, Geider, R & Raven, J 2009, 'Growth and photoregulation dynamics of the picoeukaryote Pelagomonas calceolata in fluctuating light', Limnology and Oceanography, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 823-836.
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Growth, photosynthesis, and photoacclimation properties of batch cultures of Pelagomonas calceolata (Pelagophyceae) were compared for 1 week under three different fluctuating light regimes with the same total daily amount of light. Treatments consisted of a sinusoidal diurnal light cycle or a high-frequency fluctuating light simulating two different regimes of vertical mixing (highly fluctuating light [HFL] or fluctuating light [FL]). Three to five samples were taken every day for analysis of pigments, absorption spectrum, variable fluorescence, nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), electron transport rate vs. light curves, and cell concentration. Pelagomonas achieved the same growth rate during the exponential growth phase under all three light conditions, revealing a high degree of acclimation to light and also suggesting that the daily light dose is the main factor regulating growth and division. Photophysiological adjustments occurred in the cells in response to the three light regimes. Pelagomonas seems to adopt the n-type photoacclimation in HFL, whereas the s-type photoacclimation is applied in FL. The cells rapidly trigger photoprotective mechanisms such as the xanthophyll cycle and NPQ, even though these do not appear to be able to fully prevent photoinhibition. The enhanced costs for maintenance and repair associated with HFL may have limited the allocation of energy to growth, thus explaining the shorter duration of the exponential growth phase in this regime with respect to the two others. © 2009, by the American Society of Limnology and Oceanography, Inc.

Dondrup, M, Albaum, SP, Griebel, T, Henckel, K, Juenemann, S, Kahlke, T, Kleindt, CK, Kuester, H, Linke, B, Mertens, D, Mittard-Runte, V, Neuweger, H, Runte, KJ, Tauch, A, Tille, F, Puehler, A & Goesmann, A 2009, 'EMMA 2-A MAGE-compliant system for the collaborative analysis and integration of microarray data', BMC BIOINFORMATICS, vol. 10.
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Duxbury, Z, Schliep, MT, Ritchie, RJ, Larkum, A & Chen, M 2009, 'Chromatic photoacclimation extends utilisable photosynthetically active radiation in the chlorophyll d-containing cyanobacterium, Acaryochloris marina', Photosynthesis Research, vol. 101, no. 1, pp. 69-75.
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Chromatic photoacclimation and photosynthesis were examined in two strains of Acaryochloris marina (MBIC11017 and CCMEE5410) and in Synechococcus PCC7942. Acaryochloris contains Chl d, which has an absorption peak at ca 710 nm in vivo. Cultures were grown in one of the three wavelengths (525 nm, 625 nm and 720 nm) of light from narrow-band photodiodes to determine the effects on pigment composition, growth rate and photosynthesis: no growth occurred in 525 nm light. Synechococcus did not grow in 720 nm light because Chl a does not absorb effectively at this long wavelength. Acaryochloris did grow in 720 nm light, although strain MBIC11017 showed a decrease in phycobilins over time. Both Synechococcus and Acaryochloris MBIC11017 showed a dramatic increase in phycobilin content when grown in 625 nm light. Acaryochloris CCMEE5410, which lacks phycobilins, would not grow satisfactorily under 625 nm light. The cells adjusted their pigment composition in response to the light spectral conditions under which they were grown. Photoacclimation and the Q (y) peak of Chl d could be understood in terms of the ecological niche of Acaryochloris, i.e. habitats enriched in near infrared radiation.

Fahnenstiel, G, Hong, Y, Millie, D, Doblin, MA, Johengen, T & Reid, D 2009, 'Marine dinoflagellate cysts in the ballast tank sediments of ships entering the Laurentian Great Lakes', Verhandlungen Internationale Verein Limnology, vol. 30, no. 7, pp. 1035-1038.
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Glud, RN, Woelfel, J, Karsten, U, Kuhl, M & Rysgaard, S 2009, 'Benthic microalgal production in the Arctic: applied methods and status of the current database', Botanica Marina, vol. 52, no. 6, pp. 559-571.
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The current database on benthic microalgal production in Arctic waters comprises 10 peer-reviewed and three unpublished studies. Here, we compile and discuss these datasets, along with the applied measurement approaches used. The latter is essential for robust comparative analysis and to clarify the often very confusing terminology in the existing literature. Our compilation demonstrates that i) benthic microalgae contribute significantly to coastal ecosystem production in the Arctic, and ii) benthic microalgal production on average exceeds pelagic productivity by a factor of 1.5 for water depths down to 30 m. We have established relationships between irradiance, water depth and benthic microalgal productivity that can be used to extrapolate results from quantitative experimental studies to the entire Arctic region. Two different approaches estimated that current benthic microalgal production in the Arctic is between 1.1 and 1.6×10⁷ tons C year^-1. Climate change is expected to increase the overall primary production and affect the balance between pelagic and benthic productivity in the Arctic. It is therefore imperative to get better quantitative understanding of the relationship between increased freshwater run-off, shrinking sea-ice cover, light availability and benthic primary production to assess future impact on the Arctic food web and trophic coupling.

Granum, E, Roberts, K, Raven, JA & Leegood, RC 2009, 'PRIMARY CARBON AND NITROGEN METABOLIC GENE EXPRESSION IN THE DIATOM THALASSIOSIRA PSEUDONANA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE): DIEL PERIODICITY AND EFFECTS OF INORGANIC CARBON AND NITROGEN', JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 1083-1092.
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Gribben, PE, Wright, JT, O'Connor, W, Doblin, MA, Eyre, B & Steinberg, P 2009, 'Reduced performance of native infauna following recruitment to a habitat-forming invasive marine alga', Oecologia, vol. 158, no. 4, pp. 733-745.
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Despite well-documented negative impacts of invasive species on native biota, evidence for the facilitation of native organisms, particularly by habitat-forming invasive species, is increasing. However, most of these studies are conducted at the population or community level, and we know little about the individual fitness consequences of recruitment to habitat-forming invasive species and, consequently, whether recruitment to these habitats is adaptive. We determined the consequences of recruitment to the invasive green alga Caulerpa taxifolia on the native soft-sediment bivalve Anadara trapezia and nearby unvegetated sediment. Initially, we documented the growth and survivorship of A. trapezia following a natural recruitment event, to which recruitment to C. taxifolia was very high. After 12 months, few clams remained in either habitat, and those that remained showed little growth. Experimental manipulations of recruits demonstrated that all performance measures (survivorship, growth and condition) were significantly reduced in C. taxifolia sediments compared to unvegetated sediments. Exploration of potential mechanisms responsible for the reduced performance in C. taxifolia sediments showed that water flow and water column dissolved oxygen (DO) were significantly reduced under the canopy of C. taxifolia and that sediment anoxia was significantly higher and sediment sulphides greater in C. taxifolia sediments. However, phytoplankton abundance (an indicator of food supply) was significantly higher in C. taxifolia sediments than in unvegetated ones. Our results demonstrate that recruitment of native species to habitat-forming invasive species can reduce growth, condition and survivorship and that studies conducted at the community level may lead to erroneous conclusions about the impacts of invaders and should include studies on life-history traits, particularly juveniles.

Haapkyla, J, Seymour, AS, Barneah, O, Brickner, I, Hennige, S, Suggett, DJ & Smith, D 2009, 'Association of Waminoa sp. (Acoela) with corals in the Wakatobi Marine Park, South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia', Marine Biology, vol. 156, no. 5, pp. 1021-1027.
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This is the first quantitative study on the prevalence of epizoic Waminoa sp. acoel worms and their association with corals in the Wakatobi Marine National Park (WMNP), South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia. Three replicate transects were laid on the reef crest

Hennige, SJ, Suggett, DJ, Warner, ME, McDougall, KE & Smith, DJ 2009, 'Photobiology of Symbiodinium revisited: bio-physical and bio-optical signatures', Coral Reefs, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 179-195.
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Light is often the most abundant resource within the nutrient-poor waters surrounding coral reefs. Consequently, zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium spp.) must continually photoacclimate to optimise productivity and ensure coral success. In situ coral photobiolo

Hill, R, Ulstrup, K & Ralph, PJ 2009, 'Temperature Induced Changes In Thylakoid Membrane Thermostability Of Cultured, Freshly Isolated, And Expelled Zooxanthellae From Scleractinian Corals', Bulletin of Marine Science, vol. 85, no. 3, pp. 223-244.
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Coral bleaching events are characterized by a dysfunction between the cnidarian coral host and the symbiotic dinoflagellate algae, known as zooxanthellae (genus Symbiodinium). Elevated temperature and intense light induce coral bleaching, where zooxanthellae are expelled from the host tissue. The primary cellular process in zooxanthellae which leads to coral bleaching is unresolved, and here, we investigated the sensitivity of the thylakoid membrane in a Symbiodinium culture and in genetically identified freshly isolated and expelled Symbiodinium cells. The fluorescence-temperature curve technique was used to measure the critical temperature (Tc) at which irreversible damage to the thylakoid membrane occurred. The accuracy of this technique was confirmed through the collection of scanning transmission electron micrographs which demonstrated the clear relationship between Tc and thylakoid membrane degradation. Analysis of 10 coral species with a diverse range of genetically distinct Symbiodinium communities showed a decline in Tc from summer to winter. A Symbiodinium culture and fragments of Pocillopora damicornis (Linnaeus, 1758) were exposed to a series of light and temperature treatments, where Tc increased from approximately 37 °C to 42 °C upon exposure to elevated temperature. Under bleaching conditions, the thermostability of the thylakoid membrane increased within 4 hrs by 5.1 °C, to a temperature far above bleaching thresholds, in both freshly isolated and photosynthetically competent zooxanthellae expelled from P. damicornis under these conditions. It is demonstrated that the thermostability of the thylakoid membrane increases in cultured, freshly isolated, and expelled zooxanthellae exposed to bleaching stress, suggesting it is not the primary site of impact during coral bleaching events.

Hurd, CL, Hepburn, CD, Currie, KI, Raven, JA & Hunter, KA 2009, 'TESTING THE EFFECTS OF OCEAN ACIDIFICATION ON ALGAL METABOLISM: CONSIDERATIONS FOR EXPERIMENTAL DESIGNS', JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, vol. 45, no. 6, pp. 1236-1251.
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Maberly, SC, Ball, LA, Raven, JA & Sueltemeyer, D 2009, 'INORGANIC CARBON ACQUISITION BY CHRYSOPHYTES', JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, vol. 45, no. 5, pp. 1052-1061.
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Mai, K, Sharman, PA, Walker, RA, Katrib, M, De Souza, D, McConville, M, Wallach, M, Belli, SI, Ferguson, DJ & Smith, NC 2009, 'Oocyst wall formation and composition in coccidian parasites', Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, vol. 104, no. 2, pp. 281-289.
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The oocyst wall of coccidian parasites is a robust structure that is resistant to a variety of environmental and chemical insults. This resilience allows oocysts to survive for long periods, facilitating transmission from host to host. The wall is bilayered and is formed by the sequential release of the contents of two specialized organelles - wall forming body 1 and wall forming body 2 - found in the macrogametocyte stage of Coccidia. The oocyst wall is over 90% protein but few of these proteins have been studied. One group is cysteine-rich and may be presumed to crosslink via disulphide bridges, though this is yet to be investigated. Another group of wall proteins is rich in tyrosine. These proteins, which range in size from 8-31 kDa, are derived from larger precursors of 56 and 82 kDa found in the wall forming bodies. Proteases may catalyze processing of the precursors into tyrosine-rich peptides, which are then oxidatively crosslinked in a reaction catalyzed by peroxidases. In support of this hypothesis, the oocyst wall has high levels of dityrosine bonds. These dityrosine crosslinked proteins may provide a structural matrix for assembly of the oocyst wall and contribute to its resilience.

Mantri, VA, Thakur, MC, Kumar, M, Reddy, CRK & Jha, B 2009, 'The carpospore culture of industrially important red alga Gracilaria dura (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)', AQUACULTURE, vol. 297, no. 1-4, pp. 85-90.
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Mohr, R, Voss, B, Schliep, MT, Kurz, T, Maldener, I, Adams, DG, Larkum, A, Chen, M & Hess, WR 2009, 'A new chlorophyll d-containing cyanobacterium: evidence for niche adaptation in the genus Acaryochloris', ISME Journal, vol. 4, no. 11, pp. 1456-1469.
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Chlorophyll d is a photosynthetic pigment that, based on chemical analyses, has only recently been recognized to be widespread in oceanic and lacustrine environments. However, the diversity of organisms harbouring this pigment is not known. Until now, the unicellular cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina is the only characterized organism that uses chlorophyll d as a major photopigment. In this study we describe a new cyanobacterium possessing a high amount of chlorophyll d, which was isolated from waters around Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef (23 degrees 26' 31.2 '' S, 151 degrees 54' 50.4 '' E). The 16S ribosomal RNA is 2% divergent from the two previously described isolates of A. marina, which were isolated from waters around the Palau islands (Pacific Ocean) and the Salton Sea lake (California), suggesting that it belongs to a different clade within the genus Acaryochloris. An overview sequence analysis of its genome based on Illumina technology yielded 871 contigs with an accumulated length of 8 371 965 nt. Their analysis revealed typical features associated with Acaryochloris, such as an extended gene family for chlorophyll-binding proteins. However, compared with A. marina MBIC11017, distinct genetic, morphological and physiological differences were observed. Light saturation is reached at lower light intensities, Chl d/a ratios are less variable with light intensity and the phycobiliprotein phycocyanin is lacking, suggesting that cyanobacteria of the genus Acaryochloris occur in distinct ecotypes. These data characterize Acaryochloris as a niche-adapted cyanobacterium and show that more rigorous attempts are worthwhile to isolate, cultivate and analyse chlorophyll d-containing cyanobacteria for understanding the ecophysiology of these organisms.

Moore, C, Mills, M, Achterberg, E, Geider, R, Laroche, J, Lucas, M, Mcdonagh, E, Pan, X, Poulton, A, Rijkenberg, M, Suggett, DJ, Ussher, S & Woodward, E 2009, 'Large-scale Distribution Of Atlantic Nitrogen Fixation Controlled By Iron Availability', Nature Geoscience, vol. 2, no. 12, pp. 867-871.
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Oceanic fixed-nitrogen concentrations are controlled by the balance between nitrogen fixation and denitrification(1-4). A number of factors, including iron limitation(5-7), can restrict nitrogen fixation, introducing the potential for decoupling of nitrogen inputs and losses(2,5,8). Such decoupling could significantly affect the oceanic fixed-nitrogen inventory and consequently the biological component of ocean carbon storage and hence air-sea partitioning of carbon dioxide(2,5,8,9). However, the extent to which nutrients limit nitrogen fixation in the global ocean is uncertain. Here, we examined rates of nitrogen fixation and nutrient concentrations in the surfacewaters of the Atlantic Ocean along a north-south 10,000 km transect during October and November 2005. We show that rates of nitrogen fixation were markedly higher in the North Atlantic compared with the South Atlantic Ocean. Across the two basins, nitrogen fixation was positively correlated with dissolved iron and negatively correlated with dissolved phosphorus concentrations. We conclude that inter-basin differences in nitrogen fixation are controlled by iron supply rather than phosphorus availability. Analysis of the nutrient content of deep waters suggests that the fixed nitrogen enters North Atlantic Deep Water. Our study thus supports the suggestion that iron significantly influences nitrogen fixation(5), and that subsequent interactions with ocean circulation patterns contribute to the decoupling of nitrogen fixation and loss(2,4,8).

Murray, SA, Ip, CL, Moore, R, Nagahama, Y & Fukuyo, Y 2009, 'Are prorocentroid dinoflagellates monophyletic? A study of 25 species based on nuclear and mitochondrial genes', Protist, vol. 160, no. 2, pp. 245-264.
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The dinoflagellate sub-class Prorocentrophycidae has a distinct morphology, lacking the typical dinoflagellate cell structure of a clear cingulum and sulcus. It includes species that produce the toxin okadaic acid. Despite its uniqueness, the group has been found polyphyletic in some previous molecular phylogenetic studies. We have re-investigated the phylogeny of this sub-class by culturing and sequencing new strains, comparing sequences from three genes, the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 ( cox 1) and the nuclear large and small subunit rRNA (LSU and SSU) encoding genes. We analyzed sequences from twenty-five named and two still undescribed species of Prorocentrophycidae. We used newly recognized features of the secondary structure to align regions of the LSU rRNA. The phylogeny based on cox 1 provided the most well-supported tree and showed strong support for the monophyly of prorocentroid dinoflagellates, while the LSU phylogeny was inconclusive. As in previous studies, phylogeny based on SSU shows the group to appear paraphyletic, however, support values were low. Two strongly supported sub-clades were consistently identified. Benthic and planktonic modes appear to have evolved on multiple occasions within both clades of Prorocentriphycidae. The capability to synthesize toxins appears to have arisen early in prorocentroid evolution and, in particular, okadaic acid synthesis is present in some, but not all, members of Clade 2. The D2a region of the LSU rRNA appears to have developed a deletion in three definable steps during prorocentroid evolution. While the phylogenies inferred from the three genes were not congruent, our results give reserved support to the monophyly of the group.

Murray, SA, O'Connor, WA, Alvin, A, Mihali, TK, Kalaitzis, J & Neilan, BA 2009, 'Differential accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins from Alexandrium minutum in the pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata', Toxicon, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 217-223.
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To investigate the potential for differential accumulation of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in various tissues of the akoya pearl oyster, Pinctada imbricata, two feeding trials were carried out using the PST-producing dinoflagellate, Alexandrium minu

Pernice, M, Boucher, J, Boucher-Rodoni, R, Joannot, P & Bustamante, P 2009, 'Comparative bioaccumulation of trace elements between Nautilus pompilius and Nautilus macromphalus (Cephalopoda: Nautiloidea) from Vanuatu and New Caledonia', ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY, vol. 72, no. 2, pp. 365-371.
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Petrou, K, Doblin, M, Hassler, C & Ralph, P 2009, 'MULTIPLE STRESSORS ON ANTARCTIC MICROALGAE IMPACTS OF SEASONAL FREEZING AND MELTING OF SEA-ICE', PHYCOLOGIA, vol. 48, no. 4, pp. 106-106.

Quevrain, E, Domart-Coulon, I, Pernice, M & Bourguet-Kondracki, M-L 2009, 'Novel natural parabens produced by a Microbulbifer bacterium in its calcareous sponge host Leuconia nivea', ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 1527-1539.
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Raina, J, Tapiolas, DM, Willis, BL & Bourne, DG 2009, 'Coral-associated bacteria and their role in the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur', Applied and Environmental Microbiology, vol. 75, no. 11, pp. 3492-3501.
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Marine bacteria play a central role in the degradation of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) to dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and acrylic acid, DMS being critical to cloud formation and thereby cooling effects on the climate. High concentrations of DMSP and DMS have been reported in scleractinian coral tissues although, to date, there have been no investigations into the influence of these organic sulfur compounds on coralassociated bacteria. Two coral species, Montipora aequituberculata and Acropora millepora, were sampled and their bacterial communities were characterized by both culture-dependent and molecular techniques. Four genera, Roseobacter, Spongiobacter, Vibrio, and Alteromonas, which were isolated on media with either DMSP or DMS as the sole carbon source, comprised the majority of clones retrieved from coral mucus and tissue 16S rRNA gene clone libraries. Clones affiliated with Roseobacter sp. constituted 28% of the M. aequituberculata tissue libraries, while 59% of the clones from the A. millepora libraries were affiliated with sequences related to the Spongiobacter genus. Vibrio spp. were commonly isolated from DMS and acrylic acid enrichments and were also present in 16S rRNA gene libraries from coral mucus, suggesting that under ¿normal¿ environmental conditions, they are a natural component of coral-associated communities. Genes homologous to dddD, and dddL, previously implicated in DMSP degradation, were also characterized from isolated strains, confirming that bacteria associated with corals have the potential to metabolize this sulfur compound when present in coral tissues. Our results demonstrate that DMSP, DMS, and acrylic acid potentially act as nutrient sources for coral-associated bacteria and that these sulfur compounds are likely to play a role in structuring bacterial communities in corals, with important consequences for the health of both corals and coral reef ecosystems.

Rasoulouniriana, D, Siboni, N, Ben-Dov, E, Kramarsky-Winter, E, Loya, Y & Kushmaro, A 2009, 'Pseudoscillatoria coralii gen. nov., sp nov., a cyanobacterium associated with coral black band disease (BBD)', DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS, vol. 87, no. 1-2, pp. 91-96.
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Raven, JA 2009, 'Functional evolution of photochemical energy transformations in oxygen-producing organisms', FUNCTIONAL PLANT BIOLOGY, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 505-515.
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Raven, JA 2009, 'Horsetails get the wind up', NEW PHYTOLOGIST, vol. 184, no. 1, pp. 6-9.
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Raven, JA & Giordano, M 2009, 'Biomineralization by photosynthetic organisms: Evidence of coevolution of the organisms and their environment?', GEOBIOLOGY, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 140-154.
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Raven, JA, Beardall, J, Flynn, KJ & Maberly, SC 2009, 'Phagotrophy in the origins of photosynthesis in eukaryotes and as a complementary mode of nutrition in phototrophs: relation to Darwin's insectivorous plants', JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY, vol. 60, no. 14, pp. 3975-3987.
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Scanlan, DJ, Ostrowski, M, Mazard, S, Dufresne, A, Garczarek, L, Hess, WR, Post, AF, Hagemann, M, Paulsen, I & Partensky, F 2009, 'Ecological Genomics of Marine Picocyanobacteria', MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS, vol. 73, no. 2, pp. 249-+.
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Seebacher, F, Murray, SA & Else, PL 2009, 'Thermal acclimation and regulation of metabolism in a reptile (Crocodylus porosus): the importance of transcriptional mechanisms and membrane composition', Physiological and Biochemical Zoology, vol. 82, no. 6, pp. 766-775.
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Energy metabolism is fundamental for animal fitness because it fuels locomotion, growth, and reproduction. Mitochondrial capacities often acclimate to compensate for negative thermodynamic effects. Our aim was to determine the importance of transcriptional regulation and membrane fatty acid composition in modulating oxidative capacities at body temperatures selected in a cold and a warm environment by a reptile (Crocodylus porosus). In the cool environment (mean selected T(b) = 21 degrees C), mRNA concentrations of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and its coactivator PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1 alpha), as well as of the cytochrome c oxidase (COX) subunits COX1 and COX5, were significantly higher in the liver but not in skeletal muscle compared with animals in the warm environment (mean selected T(b) = 29 degrees C). F(O)F(1)-ATPase subunit alpha mRNA concentrations were significantly higher in both muscle and the liver in the cool animals. A positive relationship between PGC-1 alpha and PPAR gamma mRNA concentrations, with an indicator of mitochondrial density (16S rRNA) in muscle and COX and F(O)F(1)-ATPase subunit alpha mRNA concentrations in liver, suggest that these proteins regulate quantity increases of mitochondria during acclimation. The percent saturated fatty acids in liver membranes of cool animals was significantly lower, and the n3 fatty acid content was significantly higher, compared with in warm animals. The n3 fatty acid content was positively related to COX enzyme activity in the liver, and there was a negative relationship between n7 fatty acid content and COX activity in muscle. Hence, metabolic acclimation is mediated by both transcriptional regulation and membrane fatty acid composition. The importance of PGC-1 alpha and PPAR gamma in a reptile indicate that the mechanisms that regulate metabolism are conserved among vertebrates.

Seuront, L, Leterme, SC, Seymour, JR, Mitchell, JG, Ashcroft, D, Noble, W, Thomson, PG, Davidson, AT, van den Enden, R, Scott, FJ, Wright, SW, Schapira, M, Chapperon, C & Cribb, N 2009, 'Role of microbial and phytoplanktonic communities in the control of seawater viscosity off East Antarctica (30-80° E)', Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography, vol. 57, no. 9-10, pp. 877-886.
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Despite the long-standing belief that seawater viscosity is driven by temperature and salinity, biologically increased seawater viscosity has repeatedly been reported in relation to phytoplankton exudates in shallow, productive coastal waters. Here, seawater viscosity was investigated in relation to microbial and phytoplanktonic communities off the coast of East Antarctica along latitudinal transects located between 30°E and 80°E in sub-surface waters and at the deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM). The physical component of seawater viscosity observed along each transects ranged from 1.80 to 1.95 cP, while the actual seawater viscosity ranged from 1.85 to 3.69 cP. This resulted in biologically increased seawater viscosity reaching up to 84.9% in sub-surface waters and 77.6% at the DCM. Significant positive correlations were found between elevated seawater viscosity and (i) bacterial abundance in sub-surface waters and (ii) chlorophyll a concentration and the abundance of flow cytometrically-defined auto- and heterotrophic protists at the DCM. Among the 12 groups and 108 species of protists identified under light microscopy, dinoflagellates and more specifically Alexandrium tamarense and Prorocentrum sp. were the main contributors to the patterns observed for elevated seawater viscosity. Our observations, which generalised the link previously identified between seawater viscosity and phytoplankton composition and standing stock to the Southern Ocean, are the first demonstration of increases in seawater viscosity linked to marine bacterial communities, and suggest that the microbially-increased viscosity might quantitatively be at least as important as the one related to phytoplankton secretion.

Seymour, JR, Ahmed, T & Stocker, R 2009, 'Bacterial chemotaxis towards the extracellular products of the toxic phytoplankton Heterosigma akashiwo', Journal Of Plankton Research, vol. 31, no. 12, pp. 1557-1561.
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Marine bacteria exhibit positive chemotactic responses to the extracellular exudates of the toxic phytoplankton Heterosigma akashiwo. In the environment, this will support bacteriaalgae associations with potential implications for harmful algal bloom dynamics.

Seymour, JR, Marcos & Stocker, R 2009, 'Resource Patch Formation and Exploitation throughout the Marine Microbial Food Web', AMERICAN NATURALIST, vol. 173, no. 1, pp. E15-E29.
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Siboni, N, Martinez, S, Abelson, A, Sivan, A & Kushmaro, A 2009, 'Conditioning film and initial biofilm formation on electrochemical CaCO3 deposition on a metallic net in the marine environment', BIOFOULING, vol. 25, no. 7, pp. 675-683.
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Strom, D, Ralph, PJ & Stauber, JL 2009, 'Development of a Toxicity Identification Evaluation Protocol Using Chlorophyll-a Fluorescence in a Marine Microalga', Archives Of Environmental Contamination And Toxic..., vol. 56, no. 1, pp. 30-38.
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Growth inhibition bioassays with the microalga Nitzschia closterium have recently been applied in marine Toxicity Identification Evaluation (TIE) testing. However, the 48-h test duration can result in substantial loss of toxicants over time, which might lead to an underestimation of the sample toxicity. Although shorter-term microalgal bioassays can minimize such losses, there are few bioassays available and none are adapted for marine TIE testing. The acute (5-min) chlorophyll-a fluorescence bioassay is one alternative; however, this bioassay was developed for detecting herbicides in freshwater aquatic systems and its suitability for marine TIE testing was not known. In this study, a chlorophyll-a fluorescence bioassay using the marine microalga Isochrysis galbana was able to detect contaminants other than herbicides at environmentally relevant concentrations and tolerated the physical and chemical manipulations needed for a Phase I TIE. Phase I TIE procedures were successfully developed using this chlorophyll-a fluorescence bioassay and used to identify all classes of contaminants present in a synthetic mixture of known chemical composition. In addition, TIEs with both the acute fluorescence bioassay and the standard growth inhibition bioassay identified the same classes of toxicants in a sample of an unknown complex effluent. Even though the acute chlorophyll-a fluorescence end point was less sensitive than the chronic cell division end point, TIEs with the chlorophyll-a fluorescence bioassay provided a rapid and attractive alternative to longer-duration bioassays.

Suggett, DJ, MacIntyre, HL, Kana, TM & Geider, RJ 2009, 'Comparing electron transport with gas exchange:parameterising exchange rates between alternative photosynthetic currencies for eukaryotic phytoplankton', Aquatic Microbial Ecology, vol. 56, no. 2-3, pp. 147-162.
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Estimates of aquatic primary productivity derived from in situ active chl a fluorescence have rapidly gained popularity over the past 2 decades. This trend has been driven primarily by the need to improve upon `conventional carbon (C) uptake- or oxygen (O2) evolution-based productivity estimates that require water samples to be incubated ex situ. Unlike the conventional approaches to measuring productivity, chlorophyll fluorescence measurements inherently describe only the activity of photosystem II (PSII) in the light reactions; thus, the photosynthetic `currency of the fluorescence based approach is an electron turnover rate for PSII (ETRPSII). A photosynthetic currency of electrons has limited ecological relevance but can be converted to a currency of carbon if an `exchange rate, i.e. a value or factor of equivalence for any single time point, is applied. We used fast repetition rate fluorometry (FRRf), mass inlet membrane spectrometry (MIMS) and 14C uptake to determine ETRPSII, gross and net O2 evolution and C fixation measured simultaneously for 6 microalgal species and for different steady-state growth conditions. Quantifying the PSII reaction centre (RCII) concentration and the spectral dependency of the effective absorption cross section yielded an FRRf approach that provided a robust estimate of the ETRPSII and gross O2 evolution for all species and conditions tested; however, the ETRPSII exceeded carbon dioxide (CO2) uptake by a factor of ~5.4 to 11.6. At least 3 species exhibited substantial light-dependent O2 cycling to account for ~40 to 60% of the difference between the ETRPSII and CO2 uptake. The highly variable nature of the ETRPSII:CO2 uptake `exchange rate observed here highlights the need for future studies that rely on active fluorescence to examine aquatic productivity to focus towards a systematic description of how electrons are coupled to C fixation in nature

Suggett, DJ, Moore, CM, Hickman, AE & Geider, RJ 2009, 'Interpretation of fast repetition rate (FRR) fluorescence: signatures of phytoplankton community structure versus physiological state', Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 376, pp. 1-19.
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Introduction of active chlorophyll a fluorescence protocols, in particular fast repetition rate (FRR) fluorometry, to oceanography and limnology 15 yr ago has enabled rapid assessment of photosynthetic physiology in situ. The FRR protocol generates simultaneous measurements of Photosystem II (PSII) effective absorption cross sections (termed sPSII) and photochemical efficiency (termed Fv/Fm). Both Fv/Fm and sPSII measurements have been utilised to examine the effects of physiological stress on the photosynthetic apparatus of phytoplankton in an ever growing number of fluorescence-based studies. However, it is now becoming clearer that in situ values of Fv/Fm and sPSII also contain taxonomic information. Here, we present a synthesis of previously unpublished and published data, which show that Fv/Fm and sPSII vary principally with broad-scale changes in community structure. These patterns observed in situ conform to trends observed in laboratory-grown cultures of a range of phytoplankton taxa. The magnitudes of variability in Fv/Fm and sPSII driven by changes in phytoplankton community structure often exceed that induced by nutrient limitation (as determined from controlled nutrient addition experiments). An exception to this general trend occurs in high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll a (HNLC) regions, where strong phenotypic changes in Fv/Fm and sPSII have been repeatedly demonstrated on relief of iron limitation. Overall, FRR fluorescence measurements of both Fv/Fm and sPSII in natural populations represent a combination of the taxonomic `signature (values of Fv/Fm and sPSII determined by the taxa present) within the phytoplankton community that is further modified according to the (photo-) physiological status. As such, fluorescence-based investigations of mixed populations must account for potential variations in phytoplankton community structure before interpretations of physiological status are made.

Sutherland, DL 2009, 'Microbial mat communities in response to recent changes in the physiochemical environment of the meltwater ponds on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, Antarctica', POLAR BIOLOGY, vol. 32, no. 7, pp. 1023-1032.
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Sutherland, DL & Hawes, I 2009, 'Annual growth layers as proxies of past growth conditions for benthic microbial mats in a perennially ice-covered Antarctic lake', FEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, vol. 67, no. 2, pp. 279-292.
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Thompson, PA, Baird, ME, Ingleton, T & Doblin, MA 2009, 'Long-term changes in temperate Australian coastal waters: implications for phytoplankton', Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 394, pp. 1-19.
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A ~60 yr physical and chemical data set from 4 coastal stations around Australia plus remotely sensed SeaWiFS and phytoplankton taxonomic data were used to evaluate the temporal and spatial variation in phytoplankton ecology. The most consistent trend observed at all stations was a long-term increase in surface salinity of ~0.003 ± 0.0008 psu yr1. All stations showed positive trends in temperature, with the fastest surface warming (0.0202°C yr1 over 60 yr) in the western Tasman Sea. Long-term trends in warming and stratification were more evident in some months and were not well characterized by annual averages. There was no general pattern of increasing stratification (0 to 50 m); only some stations and a few months showed significant changes. Long-term trends in surface nitrate and phosphate concentrations were either not significant (3 instances) or positive (5 instances) and were up to 6.1 nM phosphate yr1. A pronounced decline in silicate was evident at the 3 east coast stations, with concentrations falling by as much as 58 nM yr1 over the last ~30 yr. The western Tasman Sea experienced a ~50% decline in the growth rate and biomass of the spring bloom from 1997 to 2007, while other sites showed significant temporal variability in chlorophyll a that was associated with the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). Diatoms tended to dominate the microplankton, especially during periods of low stratification. In conclusion, the physical, chemical and biological properties of Australian temperate waters have changed considerably over the last 60 yr in response to variation in the SOI and the strengthening East Australian Current.

Thyme, SB, Jarjour, J, Takeuchi, R, Havranek, JJ, Ashworth, J, Scharenberg, AM, Stoddard, BL & Baker, D 2009, 'Exploitation of binding energy for catalysis and design', NATURE, vol. 461, no. 7268, pp. 1300-U142.
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Woodward, FI, Bardgett, RD, Raven, JA & Hetherington, AM 2009, 'Biological Approaches to Global Environment Change Mitigation and Remediation', CURRENT BIOLOGY, vol. 19, no. 14, pp. R615-R623.
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Wouters, J, Raven, JA, Minnhagen, S & Janson, S 2009, 'The luggage hypothesis: Comparisons of two phototrophic hosts with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and implications for analogous life strategies for kleptoplastids/secondary symbiosis in dinoflagellates', SYMBIOSIS, vol. 49, no. 2, pp. 61-70.
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Wouters, J, Raven, JA, Minnhagen, S & Janson, S 2009, 'The luggage hypothesis: Comparisons of two phototrophic hosts with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria and implications for analogous life strategies for kleptoplastids/secondary symbiosis in dinoflagellates', Symbiosis, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 61-70.
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Nostoc and Richelia belong to a group of heterocystous cyanobacteria and are unique within this group in forming intracellular symbioses with phototrophic hosts, the angiosperm Gunnera and the diatoms (algae) Rhizosolenia and Hemiaulus, respectively. The function of the cyanobiont is similar in the symbioses, namely providing fixed atmospheric nitrogen to their hosts; also the cyanobionts are contained in a host compartment, the symbiosome. The evolutionary timescale for the cyanobiont-endosymbiosis formation is in both instances about ≈90 Ma. However, the potentials for further co-evolution of host and microsymbiont, are different. Nostoc is regarded as preyed upon by its host, while in the Richelia-Rhizosolenia symbiosis example the evolution towards a new type of permanent organelle is possible. It is proposed that symbiosis is ruled by divergent host strategies. In the case of Richelia-Rhizosolenia the evolution of a permanent symbiosis is linked to diatom hosts needing to carry the cyanobiont permanently, as it is not available free-living in the oceans. However, in the case of Nostoc/Gunnera, the host exploits an abundant cyanobacterial species. A model where the relative abundance of microsymbionts determines the nature of the symbiosis comes into view: If environmental ratios of host/microsymbiont are so that hosts are the dominating party, then the host has to carry the microsymbiont as luggage (vertical transmission). Likewise, if the ratio of microsymbiont is higher than host, than the host will prey on the microsymbiont (horizontal transmission). The article also discusses the retention of secondary plastids in dinoflagellates. We show that dinoflagellates are organisms that exemplify both types of strategies that is either preying or harbouring a permanent organelle. The difference from the cyanobacterial example is that only parts of the eukaryotic microsymbionts are kept, usually only the plastid. We emphasize that the dinoflagellates can obtain th...

Doblin, MA, Ralph, PJ, Oubelkheir, K, Hassler, CS, Suthers, I & Thompson, P 2009, 'Using IMOS to bridge the gap between direct measurements of marine primary production and models', Adelaide, Australia.

Jeffries, TC, Newton, K, Leterme, S, Seymour, JR, Dinsdale, E, Gilbert, J, Roudnew, B, Smith, R, Seuront, L & Mitchell, J 2009, 'Taxonomic clustering of microbial metagenomes in the Coorong lagoon system', Adelaide, Australia.

Jeffries, TC, Newton, K, Leterme, S, Seymour, JR, Dinsdale, E, Roudnew, B, Smith, R, Seuront, L & Mitchell, JG 2009, 'Functional metagenomics of sediment microbial communities from a hypersaline coastal lagoon', Adelaide, Australia.

Lavery, TJ, Roudnew, B, Seymour, JR, Mitchell, JG, Seuront, L & Smetacek, V 2009, 'Whales: A net sink or source of carbon to the atmosphere?', Adelaide, Australia.

Newton, K, Jeffries, TC, Seymour, JR, Leterme, S, Mitchell, J & Seuront, L 2009, 'Impact of salinity on viral morphological diversity', Adelaide, Australia.

Petrou, K, Doblin, MA, Hassler, CS & Ralph, PJ 2009, 'Multiple stressors on the sea ice diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus - photophysiological impacts of seasonal freezing and melting of sea ice', Japan.

Raven, JA 1970, 'Contributions of anoxygenic and oxygenic phototrophy and chemolithotrophy to carbon and oxygen fluxes in aquatic environments', AQUATIC MICROBIAL ECOLOGY, 8th International Workshop of the Group-for-Aquatic-Primary-Productivity, INTER-RESEARCH, Eilat, ISRAEL, pp. 177-192.
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Seymour, JR 2009, 'Cascading resource patch exploitation in a heterogeneous microbial seascape', Adelaide, Australia.

Sinutok, S, Hill, R & Ralph, PJ 2009, 'The effect of light intensity on photosynthetic efficiency and calcification in three reef building species of Halimeda', ASPAB 2009 Conference, Townsville, Australia.
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Calcareous green algae from the genus Halimeda are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical marine environments. Halimeda is important as a carbonate sediment producer, as a source of food for herbivores, as a phototroph, and as a provider of shelter and nursery ground for invertebrates on coral reefs. Halimeda cylindracea, H. macroloba, and H. opuntia collected from the intertidal zone at Heron Island reef in the southern Great Barrier Reef of Australia were maintained in flow-through seawater tanks under three different irradiances (50, 400 and 900 µmol photon m-2 s-1) for a 4 day period. Measures of photosynthetic efficiency were investigated using Pulse Amplitude Modulated (PAM) fluorometry and chlorophyll concentrations (a and b) were determined after 4 days on an apical lobe of the thallus. Growth and calcification were examined by staining the thallus with Alizarin Red-S solution. Pigmentation, growth, and calcification were found to be independent of irradiance, remaining constant over time between treatments, except for chlorophyll a in H. cylindracea which was higher in low light than in higher light treatments. The results indicate that each species responded differently under the high light treatment at midday, with H. cylindracea and H. macroloba showing a reduction in photochemical quenching (Y(II)), indicating downregulation in photosynthetic efficiency. This was mirrored by an increase in non-regulated energy dissipation yield of PSII (Y(NO)), suggesting that photoinhibition was occurring. In comparison to this species, H. opuntia showed no changes in Y(II) and Y(NO) while H. macroloba showed higher Y(II) and lower Y(NO) only in the morning and the evening. Non-photochemical quenching yield (Y(NPQ)) was low in all treatments and in all three species which may indicate a low potential for photoprotection mechanisms in these algae. However, further investigation is required which run over an extended period of time and between seasons.

Sutherland, D, Spigel, B, Plew, D, Norton, N & Howard-Williams, C 2009, 'Limiting nutrients of phytoplankton growth in the Upper Waitaki lakes', Development workshop for the Upper Waitaki Catchment, Canterbury, New Zealand.

de Winton, M, Jellyman, D, Sutherland, D & Walsh, J 2009, A review of the potential to re-establish macrophyte beds in Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), Hamilton.

Hallegraeff, GM, Beardall, J, Brett, S, Doblin, MA, Hosja, W, de Salas, M & Thompson, P www.oceanclimatechange.org.au 2009, Marine climate change in Australia: Impacts and adaptation responses: Phytoplankton, pp. 1-10, Australia.

Hudson, N, Hickey, C, Nagals, J, Sutherland, D & Wells, R 2009, Joint venture discharge consent renewal – assessment of effects on the Tarawera River: Water Quality and aquatic plants, Hamilton.

Norton, N, Spigel, B, Sutherland, DL, Trolle, D & Plew, D 2009, Lake Benmore Water Quality: a modelling method to assist with assessments of nutrient loadings., Christchurch, NZ.

Salas, M, Cheal, A, Lough, J, McKinnon, D, Meekan, M, Sweatman, H, Coleman, M, Chambers, L, Dunlop, N, Church, J, Dowdney, J, Feng, M, Griffiths, S, Hobday, A, Matear, R, Poloczanska, E, Richardson, A, Ridgway, K, Risbey, J, Thompson, P, Thresher, R, Weller, E, Saintilan, N, Wilson, S, Lenanton, R, Hosja, W, Moore, P, Wernberg, T, Marshall, D, Connolly, R, Hill, K, Congdon, B, Devney, C, Fuentes, M, Graham, N, Hamann, M, Kingsford, M, Munday, P, Pratchett, M, Sheaves, M, Beardall, J, Brett, S, Waschka, M, Dann, P, Edgar, G, Swadling, K, Connell, S, Russell, B, Ward, T, Lukoschek, V, McGregor, S, Jenkins, G, Campbell, A, Steinberg, P, Anthony, K, Lovelock, C, Skilleter, G, Figueira, WF, Booth, DJ, Doblin, MA, Davidson, J, Holbrook, N, Howard, W, Kendrick, G & Smale, D NCCARF Publication 2009, Report Card of Marine Climate Change for Australia, pp. 1-2, Australia.

Sutherland, D & Edwards, T 2009, Weed surveillance of four Canterbury High Country Lakes and the Ecological Condition of Lakes Ohau and Alexandrina using LakeSPI, Christchurch.

Sutherland, D, Kelly, G, Dumas, J, Spigel, B & Norton, N 2009, Water quality parameters in the Upper Waitaki Basin December 2008 – April 2009, Christchurch.

Sutherland, DL 2009, Effects of MTAD on Te Waiwai Lagoon, Southland - Statement of Evidence, Christchurch, NZ.

Sutherland, DL 2009, Effects of the proposed MTAD on the water quality and aquatic ecology in the Southern Lakes, Statement of Evidence, Christchurch, NZ.

Norton, N, Spigel, B, Sutherland, D & Howard-Williams, C 2009, 'Waitaki Lakes Water Quality: a method to define sustainable thresholds for nutrient loading for regional planning'.

Norton, N, Spigel, B, Sutherland, D, Trolle, D & Plew, D 2009, 'Lake Benmore water quality: a modelling method to assist with assessments for nutrient loadings'.

Spigel, B, Trolle, D, Sutherland, D, Plew, DR, Norton, N & Howard-Williams, C 2009, 'Waitaki Lakes Water Quality: a method to define sustainable thresholds for nutrient loading for regional planning'.

Sutherland, D 2009, 'Results of the pre-MTAD baseline surveys in Lakes Te Anau, Manaporui, Hauroko and the Waiau Arm'.

Sutherland, D, Spigel, B, Plew, D, Norton, N & Howard-Williams, C 2009, 'Water quality, macrophyte, periphyton and phytoplankton growth in the Upper Waitaki lakes'.