Introduction to phycology

354 Pages·1987·34.21 MB·English

by  Graham Robin South

Introduction to
PHYCOLOGY
G. ROBIN SOUTH
BSc PhD
Director
Huntsman Marine Science Centre
St Andrews
New Brunswick
Canada
and Professor of Biology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's, Newfoundland
Canada
ALAN WHIITICK
BSc MSc PhD
Associate Professor of Biology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's, Newfoundland
Canada

BLACKWELL SCIENTIFiC PUBliCATiONS
OXFORD LONDON EDINBURGH
BOSTON PALO ALTO MELBOURNE

Introduction to
PHYCOLOGY
Dedicated to our families:
Barbara, Karen, and Adrian, and
Judy, Rachel, and Christopher
Introduction to
PHYCOLOGY
G. ROBIN SOUTH
BSc PhD
Director
Huntsman Marine Science Centre
St Andrews
New Brunswick
Canada
and Professor of Biology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's, Newfoundland
Canada
ALAN WHIITICK
BSc MSc PhD
Associate Professor of Biology
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St John's, Newfoundland
Canada

BLACKWELL SCIENTIFiC PUBliCATiONS
OXFORD LONDON EDINBURGH
BOSTON PALO ALTO MELBOURNE
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BritishLibrary
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Cataloguingin PublicationData
1988, without the prior permission
of the copyright owner. South, G. Robin
Introduction to Phycology.
First published 1987 I. Algae
Reprinted 1996 I.Title II. Whittick, Alan
589.3 QK566
ISBN 0-632-01726-0Pbk
LibraryofCongress
Cataloguingin PublicationData
The Blackwell Science logo is a
trade markofBlackwellScienceLtd, South, G. Robin (Graham Robin)
registered atthe United Kingdom Introduction to Phycology.
Trade Marks Registry
Bibliography: p.
Includesindex.
I. Algology. 2. Algae. I. Whittick, Alan.
II. Title. IIITitle: Phycology.
QK566.S68 1987 589.3 87-7146
ISBN 0-632-01726-0 (pbk.)
Contents
Preface vii
1 Introduction
2 Classification of the algae 5
3 Cellular and subcellular organization 46
4 Levels of organization 92
5 Reproduction and life cycles 120
6 Physiology and biochemistry 163
7 Ecology 191
8 Evolution and phylogeny 237
9 Algae, human affairs, and environment 263
References 279
Index 331

Preface
In this age of scientific overload it is becoming Wehaveincludedtheblue-greenalgae/bacteria
increasinglydifficulttoprovideasynopticaccount (Cyanophycota) in this book. We regard them,
ofanyscientificsubdisciplinewithin the confines together with the Prochlorophycota, as prokar
of a single undergraduate textbook. The study yotic algae and thus a legitimate part of the
of algae is certainly no exception, and even a science of phycology, even though we do not
casual perusal of the biological literature of the dispute their affinities with the bacteria. Any
past decade reveals the enormous increase in comparative account ofthe algae must of neces
our knowledge of this group of plants. Their sity include reference to them; a comprehensive
evolutionary diversity, their importance as pri view of algal structure, physiology, ecology, or
mary producers, their usefulness in physiological evolution is otherwise incomplete.
and ecological experiments, their value as indi We believethatstudentsshould be introduced
cators ofenvironmental quality, and their direct to the primary literature ofasubject, and to this
economic importance have attracted the interest end have provided extensive references to key
ofscientistsand engineerswhowould not regard topics. In addition, we have also included refer
themselves as phycologists in the classical sense. ences to recent review articles. The literature
Treatises continue to be produced on smaller cited reflects our personal biases and is not in
and smaller segments of the subject, and from tended to be an exhaustive surveyofphycology.
this standpoint phycology, as a scientific subdis In areas where there is great current activity
cipline of biology, has certainly come of age. (such as in the classification of the green algae
As educators, however, we are still required to sensu lato) we have taken a conservative ap
present a course in the subject as a whole, proach, in the full realization that future work
often within the confines of a single semester or will inevitably alter the picture that we have
term. attempted to present. Indeed, in the short time
Introduction to Phyc%gy is our attempt to sincethe manuscriptofthisbook wascompleted,
provide an integrated overview ofphycology for such events have already occurred.
theundergraduatestudent. Itisadeparturefrom We recognize that in this work there will be
the phyletic approach to the teaching of phyco shortcomings, particularly those ofomission; we
logy as reflected in the majority of currently hope, however, that these will be outweighed by

available textbooks, in which the various algal the positive aspects. While we take full respon
divisions are individually presented and discussed. sibility for this book, we gratefully acknowledge
We hope that this approach will place the study the many friends and colleagues who assisted us
of the algae in a proper, holistic perspective, in its completion. In particular we acknowledge
and that students will perceive a subject at the those who read all or portions ofthe text during
forefront of the biological sciences, rather than its preparation, Eric Henryand RobertHooper.
one whose practitioners are preoccupied with Roy Ficken provided expert photographic ser
taxonomy and life histories. vices and Sue Meades redrew a number of the
In Introduction to Phycology we begin by pro text figures. Marc Favreau and Ralph Kuhlen
viding an overview of the classification of the kamp providedassistanceincheckingourFrench
algae to provide a conceptual framework for the and German citations, and the staff of the
chapters which follow. Levels of organization Memorial University of Newfoundland Queen
are then treated from the subcellular, cellular, Elizabeth II Library were helpful in locating a
and morphological standpoints, followed by re numberofreferences. We are especiallygrateful
VICWS otlite cycles and reproductIOn, physIOlogy to our many colieagues wno wl!hngly provH1eCl
andbiochemistry,ecology, phylogenyandevolu copies oforiginal photographs or who gave per
tion, and, finally, the role of algae in human mission for the use of their illustrations. The
society. editorialstaffofBlackwellScientificPublications
vii
VIII PREFACE
Ltd were particularly supportive in their help uate, past and present, have been a continuous
and encouragement to complete what at times source of ideas and stimulation.
seemed an impossible task. Last, but certainly
not least, ourstudents, graduate and undergrad- G. Robin South
Alan Whittick