Aquatic Botany最新文献

{"title":"Effects of desiccation time on performance of a cultured (Neopyropia yezonensis) and fouling alga (Ulva prolifera)","authors":"Yifei Shen ,&nbsp;Ruyan He ,&nbsp;Yuqing Sun ,&nbsp;Shuang Li ,&nbsp;Yinqing Zeng ,&nbsp;Peimin He ,&nbsp;Jianheng Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103912","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103912","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Neopyropia yezoensis,</em> a kind of red alga (Rhodophyta) that is a source of nori, is a highly valuable macroalga widely cultivated in coastal regions of East Asia. However, in recent years, <em>Neopyropia</em> cultivation areas have been frequently disturbed by green tide algae, particularly <em>Ulva prolifera</em>. To address this issue, we conducted a seven-day experiment subjecting both <em>N. yezoensis</em> and raft-attached <em>U. prolifera</em> to desiccation treatment twice daily, with exposure times ranging from 0 to 6 hours per treatment. The physiological responses were evaluated through microscopic structure analysis, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), biomass measurements, and pigment content determination. Results showed that increasing desiccation time significantly affected the physiological status of <em>U. prolifera</em>. With prolonged desiccation time, both <em>U. prolifera</em> and <em>N. yezoensis</em> exhibited decreased Fv/Fm values, reduced biomass growth rate, and significant changes in pigment content. Desiccation periods of 5–6 hours reduced the photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) in <em>U. prolifera</em>. Although a single desiccation treatment temporarily inhibited the physiological status of <em>N. yezoensis</em>, after undergoing desiccation–rehydration cycles, the alga not only recovered its physiological function but also exhibited higher Fv/Fm values than the continuously submerged control group. However, for treatments with desiccation times exceeding 5 hours, productivity was somewhat affected, with the growth rate being approximately 24 % lower than that of the continuously submerged group. This indicates that desiccation-rehydration cycles promote the physiological status and biomass of <em>N. yezoensis</em>, demonstrating its superior adaptation to desiccation conditions. This study identified 5 hours as the optimal desiccation duration for <em>N. yezoensis</em> cultivation. Under these conditions, <em>N. yezoensis</em> maintained high growth rates and favorable physiological status while effectively inhibiting <em>U. prolifera</em> growth, providing a viable method for controlling <em>U. prolifera</em> in cultivation areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 103912"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144229690","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Seagrass fossils from the lower Miocene Morozaki Group in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan","authors":"Toshihiro Yamada","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Two new seagrass fossils are reported from the upper lower Miocene Morozaki Group (18.0–17.6 Ma) of central Japan: <em>Thalassites morozakiensis</em> T. Yamada, sp. nov., and <em>Maresurculus aichiensis</em> T. Yamada, gen. et sp. nov. The former bears strap-shaped, eligulate leaves enclosed within a fibrous sheath, suggesting an affinity with the extant subfamily Hydrilloideae (Hydrocharitaceae). The latter is characterized by ligulate leaves shed without leaving a sheath on the stem, indicating a relationship to extant genera of Cymodoceaceae, such as <em>Amphibolis</em> and <em>Thalassodendron</em>. These fossils represent the first reliable records of seagrasses from the early Miocene, consistent with divergence-time estimates for marine Hydrilloideae and Cymodoceaceae based on molecular clocks. Additionally, they imply that seagrasses extended their range to higher latitudes than today during the late early Miocene, a period marked by global warming.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 103913"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144204533","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Demographic and morphological responses of intertidal eelgrass (Zostera marina) transplanted across sediment conditions","authors":"Jennifer L. Ruesink ,&nbsp;Fiona C. Boardman ,&nbsp;Bryan A. Briones Ortiz ,&nbsp;Christopher R. Jendrey ,&nbsp;Kerry Ann Naish","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103904","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103904","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eelgrass (<em>Zostera marina</em>) shows substantial spatiotemporal variation in morphological and demographic traits that can arise from phenotypic plasticity. These traits commonly shift across light and depth gradients, as well as seasonally, but less consistency has been demonstrated across sediment conditions. We conducted two field transplant experiments in which seedlings or overwintering shoots of <em>Z. marina</em> were moved among sand and muddy-sand sites within a bay (Willapa Bay, Washington, USA). Shoots were regularly re-marked and measured for size, asexual, and sexual reproduction for 1–1.5 year, and upon collection, for rhizome extension and root investment. Seedlings, which were sourced from one site, had poor survival in muddy-sand, but smaller size and more branching with less flowering in sand. Shape also exhibited phenotypic plasticity, with relatively wide leaves and longer rhizome internodes at the sandier site. Overwintering shoots, which were transplanted among four sites in a fully reciprocal design, had lower survival and size after 6 months at sand compared to muddy-sand sites, but with greater root investment at collection. Shoots from one muddy-sand site, regardless of outplant site, maintained relatively short internodes over 1.5 years. Overall, shoots tended to remodel in summer as a function of sediment type, while internode extension was phenotypically plastic in both experiments, as well as fixed by source. Because sediment correlated with water movement, eelgrass traits expressed in sand could reduce drag (smaller above-ground size) and provide anchorage (root investment). Shorter internodes at muddy-sand outplant sites and from one muddy-sand source site could influence space-filling and foraging strategies. Across experiments, poor survival of seedlings relative to vegetative shoots in muddy-sand may reflect low-oxygen conditions that are challenging for early life stages of eelgrass to overcome. The substantial trait variation in transplants across sediment type could be a response to below-ground chemistry and above-ground hydrodynamics, but these drivers were not distinguishable with the study design.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 103904"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144204534","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preliminary assessment of a nutrient pollution indicator for application to tropical seagrasses of Puerto Rico","authors":"James E. Kaldy ,&nbsp;Cayla Sullivan ,&nbsp;Angel Dieppa ,&nbsp;Evelyn Huertas ,&nbsp;Mark Reiss ,&nbsp;Izabela Wojtenko ,&nbsp;Julia Perzley ,&nbsp;Ivelisse Cappielo Cosme ,&nbsp;Marco Orizondo Lugo","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seagrass health is often used as an indicator of water quality and plant tissue nitrogen content has long been used as an indicator of nitrogen availability, but it is not a sensitive early indicator of nutrient over enrichment. A critical characteristic for an early indicator is that it can detect increased nutrient availability before seagrasses die. The seagrass nutrient pollution indicator (NPI) integrates leaf tissue nitrogen content and leaf areal mass to track nutrient loading. We assess the underlying assumptions associated with the NPI metric and explore the application of the metric to three tropical seagrasses <em>Thalassia testudinum</em>, <em>Halodule wrightii</em>, and <em>Halophila stipulacea</em>. In June 2022 we sampled ten seagrass sites across three embayments in Puerto Rico. We used water column and sediment nutrient measurements, seagrass stable isotope analyses (%N and δ¹⁵N) and we made morphological measurements (leaf areal mass, mg dry weight cm ⁻²) to evaluate the NPI relative to anticipated environmental gradients. <em>T. testudinum</em> sheath material, <em>H. wrightii</em> and <em>H. stipulacea</em> met the assumptions of the NPI method, suggesting that the NPI metric may be applied to these tropical species. Jobos Bay sites had isotopically light δ¹⁵N values suggesting that either local N fixation or import of allochthonous N fixation are dominant sources. In Guánica Bay, heavy δ¹⁵N values suggest either wastewater inputs or internal recycling of N are the dominant source. Additional research is required, but the evidence suggests that with further development and validation the NPI metric with δ¹⁵N could be appropriate for tropical seagrass species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 103903"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144168251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Plastome evolution and phylogenomic insights into the evolution of the African submerged endemic genus Lagarosiphon (Hydrocharitaceae)","authors":"Zhi-Zhong Li ,&nbsp;Ying Wang ,&nbsp;Andrey Efremov","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103901","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103901","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus <em>Lagarosiphon</em>, a remarkable group of fully submerged plants within the family Hydrocharitaceae, is native to tropical Africa. However, the phylogenetic relationships among its species have long remained elusive due to a lack of molecular data. In this study, we assembled and compared the plastomes of three <em>Lagarosiphon</em> species from Africa. By integrating additional data from public databases, we reconstructed the phylogeny and evolutionary history of the genus. Our results revealed that the plastomes of <em>Lagarosiphon</em> were conserved but exhibited notable length variation, likely due to the accumulation of dispersed repeats. Furthermore, we found that nucleotide diversity in the intergenic spacer regions was significantly higher than in the protein-coding genes. Such regions as <em>ycf1</em>, <em>infA</em>, <em>rpl23</em>-<em>trnI-CAU</em>, and <em>ycf1</em>-<em>ndhF</em> were recognized as mutation hotspots, highlighting their potential as important markers for future population genetics and phylogenetic studies. Phylogenomic analysis strongly supported <em>Lagarosiphon</em> as a monophyly, with the most recent common ancestor estimated to have occurred around 29.95 Ma. The diversification of this genus in Africa is likely a response to rapid climatic and geological changes during the Miocene. Our study provides valuable molecular resources for the taxonomic and phylogenomic investigation of the genus <em>Lagarosiphon</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 103901"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143950446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria associated with Posidonia oceanica meadow in the North coast of Monastir, Tunisia","authors":"Khaled Elmnasri ,&nbsp;Mohamed El Gtari","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103902","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103902","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Given the significant ecological and socio-economic roles played by seagrass beds in the Mediterranean Sea, there is an urgent need to explore effective approaches for the conservation and restoration of <em>Posidonia oceanica</em> meadows. The characterization and utilization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) appear to be one of the most innovative methods. In this study, metataxonomic analysis revealed the dominance of bacteria belonging to <em>Acinetobacter</em> (36.7 %), <em>Halodesulfovibrio</em> (38 %), <em>Vibrio</em> (9 %), <em>Lactobacillus</em> (1.3 %), <em>Arcobacter</em> (3 %), and <em>Desulforhopalus</em> (1 %) in the rhizosphere of <em>P. oceanica</em>, sampled from the northern coast of Monastir. Compared to the rhizosphere samples, a loss of biodiversity was observed in bulk sediment from adjacent erosive intermattes, with the disappearance of <em>Halodesulfovibrio</em>, <em>Anaerovorax</em>, <em>Anaerotignum</em>, and <em>Marinomonas</em> representatives, alongside a reduction in the abundance of <em>Vibrio</em>, <em>Arcobacter</em>, and <em>Desulforhopalus</em>. Isolation on Marine Agar medium allowed the purification of 42 bacterial strains, assigned to the genera <em>Vibrio</em>, <em>Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, Bermanella, Marinomonas</em>, and <em>Tritonibacter</em>, with the detection of a new species closely related to <em>V. viridaestus</em>. The ability of these bacteria to produce hydrogen cyanide (HCN), ammonia (NH3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and enzymes such as esterase, amylase, protease, agarase, and cellulase was also evaluated. The most promising strains for growth promotion were identified as <em>Pseudoalteromonas shioyasakiensis</em> PRL9 and PRL10, <em>Alteromonas abrolhosensis</em> PRA3, and <em>Marinomonas aquiplantarum</em> PR10. In vivo trials of the PGPR consortium on <em>Posidonia</em> seedling growth are planned.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 103902"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143912996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rapid loss of temperate kelp forests revealed by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography and underwater observations","authors":"Masaaki Sato ,&nbsp;Junji Kinoshita ,&nbsp;Kyoji Ishita ,&nbsp;Shiori Arima ,&nbsp;Masayuki Fudo ,&nbsp;Hisami Kuwahara","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103900","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103900","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate-related increases in ocean temperature, herbivore abundance, and the frequency of extreme weather events have triggered phase shifts from kelp forests to deforested barrens. While unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography is now an effective method for monitoring marine environments, few studies have used it to detect changes in submerged marine forests. To investigate changes in kelp forests formed by <em>Ecklonia cava</em> under the influence of ocean warming and large typhoons, we conducted UAV photography in two areas (70,755 and 116,199 m²) and underwater visual surveys along two transects off the Manazuru coast of central Japan (35 °09'N) between 2019 and 2020. UAV photography revealed a complete loss of the kelp forests (34,042 and 48,641 m²) there from 2019 to 2020. The underwater visual census revealed a change in benthic communities, with a 57.3 % decrease in <em>Ecklonia</em> cover and an 11.3 % increase in small and coralline algae cover during this period. Based on the wave height during the passage of Typhoon Hagibis in fall 2019, ocean warming since 2008, and the prolonged period of high temperature (&gt; 16 °C) from fall 2019 autumn to winter 2020, we speculated that the phase shift from <em>Ecklonia</em> beds to deforested barrens was due to the synergistic effects of the typhoon, ocean warming, and enhanced fish herbivory due to high temperature. Our results demonstrate the utility of UAV photography for monitoring submerged kelp forests, and combined results with previous studies suggest that the distribution of the phase shifts has expanded to higher latitudes in Japan.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 103900"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143899639","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive and recruitment potential of Halophila hawaiiana","authors":"Mikinley Weaver ,&nbsp;Chelsie W.W. Counsell","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103899","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103899","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Understanding the details of seagrass species’ vegetative and sexual reproductive capacity is important to inform restoration efforts for these habitat engineers. Previous work has shown that vegetative fragments of <em>Halophila</em> species can settle and establish in new areas. However, it is unclear whether fragment size impacts vegetative reproduction success, and whether the isolated species <em>Halophila hawaiiana</em> has retained this ability. To determine whether <em>H. hawaiiana</em> can settle and establish from vegetative fragments, we took fragments of various sizes and fixed them to a string held just above the sediment in situ. We found that fragments could settle and establish into the sediment; 39 % of fragments grew roots into the sediment by day 14. Fragment settlement was strongly associated with month and location. Fragment size non-linearly influenced fragment settlement, with medium-sized fragments (four to six nodes) being the most successful. Regarding sexual reproduction for <em>H. hawaiiana</em>, observed seeds have previously been considered a result of apomixis; however, the presence of staminate flowers indicates that sexual reproduction may be possible. We collected flowers and artificially pollinated them in the lab, with unpollinated flowers isolated as a control. Endosperm growth and seed production was observed in the treatment group but not the control - suggesting sexual reproduction and not apomixis is the method of seed production for this species. To guide seagrass conservation efforts, future research is needed to understand the links between vegetative fragment settlement and patch expansion, and to determine environmental factors that induce flowering and seed germination in <em>H</em>. <em>hawaiiana</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 103899"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143890468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of light and temperature on volatile mediated seaweed-bacteria interactions","authors":"Mahasweta Saha ,&nbsp;Pauline Benzi ,&nbsp;Andy Foggo","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Land plants strongly contribute to BVOCs (biogenic volatile organic compounds) which serve multiple ecological roles. Aquatic macrophytes such as seaweeds underpin some of the most extensive and productive coastal ecosystems globally. However, seaweed health and fitness can be negatively impacted through excessive bacterial colonisation on their surface. Just like land plants, seaweeds employ a range of chemicals to deter, reduce or “garden” epibacterial colonisation. Like plants, seaweeds are known to be prolific producers of BVOCs in the marine environment. However, unlike plants, the ecological roles of seaweed BVOCs, particularly in mediating seaweed-bacteria interactions, has hardly been explored, especially when compared to the role of non-volatile compounds. Although BVOC production is known to vary with abiotic factors in seaweeds, we do not know yet how such variations may alter ecological interactions of seaweeds with bacteria. Using two ecologically important seaweeds, <em>Fucus serratus</em> and <em>Palmaria palmata</em>, we investigated how different different light and temperature conditions can influence BVOCs mediated interactions of seaweeds with their bacteria We tested <em>F. serratus</em> and <em>P. palmata</em> BVOCs for their effect upon settlement in twelve common marine bacterial strains for the temperature experiment and seven common bacterial strains for the light experiment. When the seaweeds were incubated at higher temperature (21°C), the bacterial strains in contact with BVOCs from both <em>F. serratus</em> and <em>P. palmata</em> had a higher relative settlement compared to seaweeds incubated at ambient temperature (16°C). Overall temperature had a stronger significant effect than species identity. The effect of light on the BVOC mediated seaweed-bacteria interaction was less distinct but had a stronger inter-specific effect.</div></div><div><h3>Synthesis</h3><div>Our results provide the first evidence from an aquatic environment that BVOC mediated ecological interactions can vary between seaweed species and with light and temperature.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 103897"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143899638","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Structural and photosynthetic improvement of Myriophyllum aquaticum plant traits through artificial adjustments","authors":"Daomin Cheng ,&nbsp;Peili Fu ,&nbsp;Qingqing Wang ,&nbsp;Wei Li ,&nbsp;Longyi Yuan ,&nbsp;Yang Liu ,&nbsp;Yu Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103896","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.aquabot.2025.103896","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant height is a key quantitative trait in plant ecology, linked with leaf area and stem diameter, affecting photosynthesis and water transport. Taller plants typically access lighte and resources, enhancing their competitive ability. However, the invasive aquatic plant <em>Myriophyllum aquaticum</em> usually reaches around 20 cm above the water surface. Despite its shorter stature, this species demonstrates rapid growth and efficient resource utilization, which contributes to its competitive success in various aquatic environments. This study aims to explore how altering its height impacts photosynthesis and water transport, providing insights into its growth adaptation mechanisms. We conducted an experiment with <em>M. aquaticum</em>, adjusting its height artificially (H) and comparing it to naturally maintained height (CK). We measured plant traits related to photosynthesis and water transport, including stem diameter, root pressure, and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoids). Observations of guttation were also recorded. Under height-adjusted treatments, <em>M. aquaticum</em> exhibited positive significant growth responses with increased stem diameter and root pressure compared to the CK. Photosynthetic pigments were significantly higher in H than in CK. Notably, guttation was observed in CK but absent in H. Artificially increasing the height of <em>M. aquaticum</em> enhances its photosynthetic and hydraulic traits. However, this adjustment may lead to water deficiency issues, particularly during sunny conditions. This study contributes to understanding the ecological significance of plant height in aquatic species, highlighting the complex interplay between growth adaptations and environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8273,"journal":{"name":"Aquatic Botany","volume":"200 ","pages":"Article 103896"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143833475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}