Coralline-Algae-VISIBLE-Spectra

The visible-spectra (400 - 800 nm) of the Antarctic coralline algae T. antarcticum: Coupling hyperspectral imaging with standard pigment and DNA tools.

Publication

Montes-Herrera, J. C., Cimoli, E., Cummings, V. J., D’Archino, R., Nelson, W. A., Lucieer, A., & Lucieer, V. (2024). Quantifying pigment content in crustose coralline algae using hyperspectral imaging: A case study with Tethysphytum antarcticum (Ross Sea, Antarctica). Journal of Phycology, 60, 695–709. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13449

Description of project

The project aimed to quantify and analyze the content of R-phycobilins in crustose coralline algae (CCA) using hyperspectral imaging combined with DNA barcoding and pigment extractions. The study focused on the Tethysphytum antarcticum species collected from two different shallow benthic locations within the Ross Sea, Antarctica. The goal was to reveal distinct R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) spatial distributions present in two site-specific CCA phenotypes, with thin and thick crusts, respectively.

Who:

Juan C. Montes-Herrera, Emiliano Cimoli, Vonda J. Cummings, Roberta D’Archino, Wendy Nelson, Arko Lucieer, and Vanessa Lucieer.

Title of dataset:

Quantifying light harvesting pigments in crustose coralline algae using hyperspectral imaging: a case study with phenotypes of Tethysphytum antarcticum (Ross Sea, Antarctica)

Contact

Juan Carlos Montes-Herrera, juancarlos.montesherrera@utas.edu.au

Geographic coverage

Ross Sea, Antarctica

Taxonomic coverage / resolution

Crustose coralline algae (CCA), Tethysphytum antarcticum

Keywords

coralline algae, hyperspectral imaging, pigments, R-Phycoerythrin, Antarctica, Tethysphytum antarcticum, Ross Sea

Responsible(s)

J.C. Montes-Herrera juancarlos.montesherrera@utas.edu.au

Sampling methods

The CCA samples were collected using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) by Antarctica New Zealand.

Project Data or Deliverables

• Hyperspectral imaging data
• DNA barcoding data
• Pigment extraction data
• Spectral indices data

Steps from field to end result

1. CCA samples collected using ROV
2. Samples stored in wrapped in soft cloth with sillica beads in the dark for 8 months
3. Specimens cleaned and inspected under stereoscope
4. Hyperspectral imaging
5. DNA barcoding
6. Pigment extractions
7. Spectral indices developed and regressed against R-phycobilins contents
8. Analysis of differences in the microspatial distribution of R-PE in two distinct phenotypes of T. antarcticum

Strengths & weaknesses (reservations)

Strengths: - Non-destructive method for quantifying pigments in CCA - Reveals distinct spatial distributions of pigments in CCA - Can be applied in laboratory studies and potentially in in situ surveys using underwater hyperspectral imaging systems

Weaknesses: - Limited taxonomic coverage - Limited geographic coverage

Citations

• Sciuto, K., Moschin, E., Alongi, G., Cecchetto, M., Schiaparelli, S., Caragnano, A., Rindi, F., Moro, I., 2021. Tethysphytum antarcticum gen. et sp. nov. (Hapalidiales, Rhodophyta), a new non-geniculate coralline alga from Terra Nova Bay (Ross Sea, Antarctica): morpho-anatomical characterization and molecular phylogeny. Eur J Phycol 56, 416–427. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2020.1854351

Collection data

DOI: