Reproduction in Durvillaea (bull kelp); the effect of the environment, size, and location on the blade

Supervisory Team:

• Assoc. Prof. Jeff Wright (primary)
• Dr Wouter Visch and Prof Catriona Hurd (co-supervisors)

Brief project description:

Durvillaea (bull kelp) is a large brown seaweed with diffuse growth with separate male and female plants (i.e. dioecious). It grows in wave-exposed intertidal and subtidal environments, due in part to its unique cellular structure and biomechanical properties which allow it to tolerate high wave energy. Reproduction is highly seasonal, with gamete release peaking during the austral winter. However, we know very little about the size or age at which Durvillaea becomes reproductive or the effect of the environment (e.g. water motion or sea surface temperature) on the reproductive output in Durvillaea. Furthermore, there is anecdotal evidence that reproduction varies with age, size, and position on a blade, but this warrants a more systematic investigation.

In this project, the aim is to examine variation in the reproductive output of both male and female Durvillaea individuals at various sites along the Tasmanian coast and as a function of size/age, position on a blade. The work will improve our understanding of the reproductive biology of Durvillaea and will have a huge impact underpinning future aquaculture practice in Tasmania. The project is in association with the Blue Economy CRC.

Skills students will develop during this research project:

The student will gain knowledge of seaweed reproductive biology, microbiological methods, experimental design, data analysis, microscopy, and fieldwork.

This project is field-heavy, and part of the experimental work will be done at the IMAS-Salamanca.  Snorkel qualifications are required.