Codium fragile spp. A central question for understanding biological invasions is what attributes enable such species to establish themselves in a new environment. Widely cited traits include rapid growth, asexual reproduction, high dispersal, but few studies have examined physiological processes that allow for the successful establishment of invasive species.
Temperature affects the metabolic rates and equilibria of biochemical reactions.
The first goal of this project is to determine the temperature optimum for key regulatory enzymes from C. fragile . If the temperature optimum is similar to that of other green algae, we will then examine the physiological mechanisms that contribute to the growth of C. fragile along the coast of New England. Alternatively, if the optimum differs from other chlorophytes, we will focus on the enzyme s activities to identify the mechanism of temperature adaptation. This study will be complemented by laboratory and field measurements of growth rate, reproductive output and photosynthesis of C. fragile , and of environmental variables including irradiance and nitrate availability.