Gracilaria and its epiphytes: 4. The response of two Gracilaria species to Ulva lactuca in a bacteria-limited environment

The responses of Gracilaria lemaneiformis, an easily epiphytized host, and the relatively resistant G. cornea mutant, to the green alga Ulva lactuca were studied using biculture experiments with and without antibiotics. Both Gracilaria species grown with and without U. lactuca showed different levels of growth rate, release of hydrogen peroxide and of halogenated hydrocarbons. These quantitative differences led to a successful response against Ulva lactuca in the case of G. cornea mutant and to a failure in response in the case of G. lemaneiformis. The response of each Gracilaria species to U. lactuca was qualitatively similar to its response to bacteria. This suggests the involvement of oligosaccharide elicitors produced in the presence of epiphytes and bacteria. A clear Gracilaria inhibition was demonstrated with extracts of the culture medium. It appears that hydrogen peroxide, halogenated hydrocarbons and oligosaccharides may be components of the inhibitory activity of the extracts. The responses of Gracilaria species to the presence of U. lactuca suggest the characterization of a defence response.