RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control

["Hess, Clay A" <clay.a.hess@boeing.com>]

Sandu,

When it comes to algae, I think it should stay in its own little corner
of the Flora/Fauna kingdom.  And, preferably, that corner is not in any
of my aquariums. Just kidding.....well, sorta.....I do appreciate it
staying out of my aquariums.
 
On a more serious note, I find it interesting that human nature does not
allow us to settle on one idea and stay with it.  This can be seen very
well in the number of times we rename plants, animals, minerals and
anything else out there(algae?),over time.  This can be very frustrating
for those of us that are not on the "leading edge" of science.  Yet, it
can be very satisfying for those that work in the research field, as it
gives researchers a clearer (better?) way of sharing their thoughts and
ideas.  
Imagine, if all we ever had was the term "algae" for the many forms it
takes in our aquariums.  This would likely be ok with most aquarists.
We would simply say, oh, it is the green form, or the brown form, or the
hairy form, or the spotty form.  But, for researchers this is not a very
good way to discuss their work.  So, they give "algae" any number of
scientific names (The "green algae" is the most diverse group of algae,
with more than 7000 species growing in a variety of habitats), in hopes
of being able to better communicate what it is they are researching. 
 
To take this one step further, and maybe closer to the real question.
Now, after doing research on a given flora or fauna, a researcher
determines that they have this particular specimen misfiled.  What do
they do?  Well, they move it to another file.  This can be seen in many
of the fish coming out of the African Rift Lakes.  For example, what was
once Haplochromis Moorii is now Crytocara Moorii (a fish I have seen
sold in stores as Blue Dolphin Cichlid).  The point being, that one day
I would not be surprised to see algae, or at least some types of algae,
placed within the plant kingdom.  Or, perhaps, it could be placed in
another, entirely new, file.

No matter which "file" we decide to place it in, as long as you and I
understand which specimen we are discussing, I am ok it.  The thing I
enjoy the most is the opportunity to learn from your experiences and
everyone else's, if they will share them.  The people within our club
have so many experiences to offer and I think it is great that so many
of the members do share their experiences.

Clay

-----Original Message-----
From: simion [mailto:s.simion@comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 4:22 PM
To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Algae control


An interesting paragraph:

"The third and fourth groups of protists, the algae, contain
chloroplasts and photosynthesize like plants; these can be unicellular,
colonial, or multicellular. Multicellular marine algae, the seaweeds,
are similar to marine plants, and many biologists support moving seaweed
into the plant kingdom."

OK, many biologists support moving seaweed into the plant kingdom. So,
here comes the next scientific comment:

"The Chromobionts contain the brown algae and the golden-brown algae,
from the unicellular diatoms to the seaweed of kelp forests. The
Cholorobionts are the green algae, including unicellular, colonial, and
multicellular types; these are believed to have been the ancestors of
modern plants."

So, please tell me; what do you think. Is it, or is it not correct to
call this particular "aquarium" algae a form of INFERIOR (OK, primitive)
plants?

Sandu

So, Clay, what do you think
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hess, Clay A" <clay.a.hess@boeing.com>
To: "Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat"
<gsas-member@thekrib.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 4:00 PM
Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control


> Dave/Betty,
>
> Actually, I did know that.....this is the reason I put the statement 
> in my original hypothesis as "IF you look at algae as a 
> plant...".....because I know some do not, for the very reason you 
> outline, consider algae as a plant.  I did remember a small fraction 
> of my biology classes.....~~wondering how or why~~.  This is all good 
> too though, more to learn.....
>
> Clay
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: haika@drizzle.com [mailto:haika@drizzle.com]
> Sent: Thursday, March 17, 2005 2:22 PM
> To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
> Subject: RE: [GSAS-Member] Algae control
>
>
> You can be shocked once again....I had to look this up cuz I figured a

> green thing that photosynthesized was a plant. And heck, I'm supposed 
> to know this stuff too. But it's been over 30 years since I worried 
> about systematics at that level, and it's just one of those things 
> I've forgotten. Algae is in the kingdom Protista...for those of you 
> scratching your heads.
>
> http://www.sidwell.edu/us/science/vlb5/Labs/Classification_Lab/Eukarya
> /P
> rotista/
>
> Guess it's a good thing I'm NOT teaching high school biology 
> <G>...although I suppose if I'd used my credential, I'd be renewing 
> this info on a regular basis and wouldn't have forgotten (weak grin).
>
> Betty Goetz (willing to admit one more of the many things I've 
> forgotten
> <G>)
>
> > Clay, I'm shocked that you didn't know that algae is Not a plant, 
> > but in a different Kingdom! dave 
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
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>
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