Abstract
The seasonal growth and reproduction of Codium fragile were studied at Boothbay Harbor, Maine, and at Woods Hole and Wings Neck, Massachusetts (USA), in relation to several environmental parameters. Maximum growth and reproduction occur during periods of highest water temperatures and insolation. The effects of various light intensities and temperatures on the photosynthesis rates of C. fragile were determined and correlated with the field results. Optimal conditions for net photosynthesis are 21° to 24°C and 900 to 1100 foot-candles. It is suggested that C. fragile is a warm-temperate plant that is growing near its northern limits in New England, but one that has not extended to its potential southern limits.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Literature Cited
Anonymous: Tide tables, high and low water predictions for 1969, North and South America including Greenland, 280 pp. Washington, D. C.: U.S. Government. Environmental Sciences Services Administration, Coast and Geodetic Survey 1969.
Borden, C. A. and J. R. Stein: Reproduction and early development in Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot: Chlorophyceae. Phycologia 8, 91–99 (1969).
Bouck, G. B. and E. Morgan: The occurrence of Codium in Long Island waters. Bull. Torrey bot. Club 84, 384–387 (1957).
Chapman, V. J.: A contribution to the ecology of Egregia laevigata Setchell, Part III—Photosynthesis and respiration; conclusions. Botanica mar. 3, 101–122 (1962).
Churchill, A. C. and H. W. Moeller: Seasonal patterns of reproduction in New York populations of Codium fragile. J. Phycol. 8, 147–152 (1972).
Coffin, G. W. and A. P. Stickney: Codium enters Maine waters. Fishery Bull. Fish Wildl. Serv. U.S. 66, 159–161 (1966).
Delépine, R.: Observations sur quelques Codium (chlorophycées) des côtes Françaises. Revue gén. Bot. 66, 366–394 (1959).
Feldmann, J.: Sur la parthénogénèse du Codium fragile (Sur.) Hariot dans la Méditerranée. C. r. hebd. Séanc. Acad. Sci., Paris 243, 305–307 (1956).
Fralick, R. A. and A. C. Mathieson: Winter fragmentation of Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot ssp. tomentosoides (Van Goor) Silva in New England. Phycologia 11, 67–70 (1972).
Galstoff, P. S.: Oysters import Pacific pests. In: The Falmouth Enterprise (newspaper), 67 (65), p. 1, p. 3, Falmouth, Mass.: 1962.
Mathieson, A. C. and R. L. Burns: Ecological studies of economic red algae. I. Photosynthesis and respiration of Chondrus crispus Stackhouse and Gigartina stellata (Stackhouse) Batters. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 7, 197–206 (1971).
Moeller, H. W.: Ecology and life history of Codium jragile subsp. tomentosoides. 96 pp. Ph. D. thesis, Rutgers University. 1969.
Ramus, J.: Codium: the invader. Discovery, New Haven, USA 6, 59–68 (1971).
—: Differentiation of the green alga Codium fragile. Am. J. Bot. 59, 478–482 (1972).
Schmidt, O. C.: Beiträge zur Kenntnis der Gattung Codium Stackh. Biblthca bot. 91, 1–68 (1923).
Schumacher, G. J. and J. Fiore: Some marine algae of New York state. Conservationist 17, 22–26 (1963).
Taylor, J. E.: Codium reported from a New Jersey estuary. Bull. Torrey bot. Club 94, 57–59 (1967).
Tobler, F.: Zur Organisation des Thallus von Codium tomentosum. Flora, Jena 3, 78–87 (1911).
Weber, W.: Morphogenetische und Keimungsphysiologische Untersuchungen an einigen Meeresalgen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Polarität. Botanica mar. 12, 136–170 (1969).
Wood, R. D.: Codium is carried to Cape Cod. Bull. Torrey bot. Club 89, 178–180 (1962).
Williams, L. G.: Seasonal alternation of marine floras at Cape Lookout, North Carolina. Am. J. Bot. 35, 682–695 (1948).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Communicated by J. Bunt, Miami
Published with the approval of the Director of the New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station as Scientific Contribution Number 625.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fralick, R.A., Mathieson, A.C. Ecological studies of Codium fragile in New England, USA. Marine Biology 19, 127–132 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353583
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00353583