Morphological and physiological differences between two morphotypes of Durvillaea antarctica (Phaeophyceae) from the sub-Antarctic ecoregion of Magallanes, Chile
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- 2Universidad Catolica del Norte
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Journal
Journal of Applied Phycology
ISSN
0921-8971
1573-5176
Open Access
closed
Volume
29
Start page
2557
End page
2565
The coastal marine ecosystems of the sub-Antarctic ecoregion of Magallanes in southern Chile are strongly characterized by environmental heterogeneity with a unique and high biodiversity of benthic macroalgae. The kelp Durvillaea antarctica (Phaeophyceae) is abundant in the intertidal in this region. Two morphotypes, one with elongated-cylindrical ("morphotype EC") and one with laminar ("morphotype L") blades, have been collected from a wave-protected site at the Strait of Magellan and the wave-exposed shores of the isolated Otway Sound. Morphometric and physiological (by chlorophyll fluorescence) analyses showed significant differences between the two morphotypes regarding the morphology, the maximum electron transport rates (ETRmax), and the chlorophyll c concentration. These morphological and physiological differences can be linked to their hydrodynamic environment. The presence of two different species in the region of Magallanes based on the measured parameters is discussed. This study may be useful for future genetic and biotechnological investigations and draws attention to D. antarctica as a species of commercial value among the marine resources of Chile.