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Phenotypic variation in Fucus spiralis (Phaeophyceae): morphology, chemical phenotype and their relationship to the environment

Scott, GW; Hull, SL; Hornby, SE; Hardy, FG; Owens, NJP; Scott, Graham; Hull, Sue; Hornby, Sarah; Hull, Susan; Hardy, F. Gavin; Owens, Nick

Authors

GW Scott

SL Hull

SE Hornby

FG Hardy

NJP Owens

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Dr Sue Hull S.Hull@hull.ac.uk
Senior Lecturer in Marine Biology and Ecology/ Programme Director, Marine Biology

Sarah Hornby

Susan Hull

F. Gavin Hardy

Nick Owens



Abstract

Phenotypic Variation of Fucus spiralis was examined in terms of morphology and chemical composition, as determined by pyrolysis mass spectrometry (PyMS). After discriminant analysis both techniques revealed the existence of two morphotypes which were subsequently designated as F. spiralis and F. spiralis forma nanus. The nanus plants differed from the nominate spiralis in that they were shorter, narrower and had fewer branches, but had more units of growth from a single holdfast. F, spiralis f. nanus was consistently higher on the shore than F, spiralis, but the two morphotypes overlapped in terms of shore exposure level. We suggest that the formae exist within a mosaic of stable phenotypes representing populations specifically adapted to the local environment. PyMS data were in agreement with morphological descriptions showing that gross morphology can be correlated with chemical composition.

Citation

Scott, G., Hull, S., Hornby, S., Hardy, F. G., & Owens, N. (2001). Phenotypic variation in Fucus spiralis (Phaeophyceae): morphology, chemical phenotype and their relationship to the environment. European Journal of Phycology, 36(1), 43-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670260110001735188

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 28, 2001
Online Publication Date Jun 3, 2010
Publication Date Feb 28, 2001
Journal EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
Print ISSN 0967-0262
Electronic ISSN 1469-4433
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 36
Issue 1
Pages 43-50
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/09670260110001735188
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/391436