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Photosynthetic activity of the non-dormant Posidonia oceanica seed

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Abstract

The photosynthetic adaptive features of non-dormant seeds in Posidonia oceanica were studied in order to evaluate the effects of light on germination success. Transmission electron micrographs showed the presence of chloroplasts in the epidermal cells, close to the nucleus at the periphery of the cytoplasm. The well-developed thylakoid membranes and the presence of starch granules indicated that the chloroplasts were photosynthetically active. The relationship between photosynthesis versus irradiance in P. oceanica seeds incubated at 15 and 21°C was analysed. The net photosynthesis in the non-dormant seed of P. oceanica was positive and compensated its respiration demand (90 μmol quanta m−2 s−1) at both temperatures. Net photosynthesis was negative at the other irradiance values. To test the effects of light on germination success, seeds were placed both in dark and light conditions. Germination success was significantly higher in light rather than in dark condition. The characteristics observed in the photosynthesis in P. oceanica seed could be a mechanism to guarantee seedling survival in temperate waters, demonstrating though the specialized nature of this species.

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Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Medio Rural y Marino from Spain (project code 116/SGTB/2007/1.3). The authors kindly thank Javier Lloret for the constructive criticism on this paper. This work was supported by a grant (D. Celdrán) from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Programa Nacional de Formación de Profesorado Universitario).

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  1. Dpto. Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100, Murcia, Spain

    David Celdrán & Arnaldo Marín

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  1. David Celdrán
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  2. Arnaldo Marín
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Correspondence to Arnaldo Marín.

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Communicated by P. Ralph.

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Celdrán, D., Marín, A. Photosynthetic activity of the non-dormant Posidonia oceanica seed. Mar Biol 158, 853–858 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1612-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1612-4

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