Spatial and temporal variation in DMSP content in the invasive seaweed Codium fragile ssp. fragile: effects of temperature, light and grazing.

The article discusses a study which investigated the spatial and temporal distribution of methionine-derived secondary metabolite dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) content in invasive seaweed Codium fragile off the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. The study observed the highest level of DMSP in C. fragile in boreal spring and lowest in fall and negatively related to seawater temperature. It was also found that DMSP content in the seaweed increases with light intensity, exposure to sea urchin grazing, and decreasing temperature.