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Reproductive synchrony in a habitat-forming kelp and its relationship with environmental conditions

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Abstract

Key biological processes such as the timing and synchrony of reproduction, are sensitive to fluctuations in the environment, as well as alterations in the physiology and behaviour of individuals and the ecology of populations. The main aim of this study was to identify patterns in reproductive timing and relationships with prevailing environmental conditions, for the major habitat-forming alga in temperate Australia, Ecklonia radiata (C. Agardh) J. Agardh. We observed strong synchronous patterns of zoospore production across spatial scales from hundreds of metres to tens of kilometres, with populations of E. radiata reproducing from mid-summer to the end of autumn. High zoospore densities were positively related to sea temperature and E. radiata released zoospores in temperatures well above previously documented thermal tolerance limits for other Laminariales. Reproductive timing was also negatively related to seasonal increase in wave exposure. We conclude that E. radiata undergoes synchronous reproduction which can be linked to its annual growth cycle and natural environmental fluctuations, to promote growth and survival of recruits.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the University of Western Australia through an Australian Postgraduate Award and the Australian Geographic Society through a Seed Grant to M. Mohring. T. Wernberg was supported by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship. Special thanks to the W.A. Department of Fisheries, the W.A. Department of Transport, Geoscience Australia and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology who supplied environmental data. We also acknowledge the input from the external reviewers whose suggestions helped to improve the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Margaret B. Mohring.

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Communicated by S. Connell.

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Mohring, M.B., Wernberg, T., Kendrick, G.A. et al. Reproductive synchrony in a habitat-forming kelp and its relationship with environmental conditions. Mar Biol 160, 119–126 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2068-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-2068-5

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