This study examined the biological rhythms and physiological outputs of Dictyota dichotoma in field samples from a non-polluted site and one with Artificial Light at Night (ALAN), as well as in laboratory control and ALAN conditions. We aimed to explore if and how ALAN could be affecting the natural biological rhythms related to the lunar cycle in D. dichotoma. Not only is D. dichotoma a model marine organism for studying biological rhythms, but it also produces compounds of commercial interest. Sexual reproduction, photosynthetic activity and gene expression were used to study the effects of ALAN on D. dichotoma. In field conditions, ALAN seems to be having some effect on the synchronization of gamete release, although this study did not demonstrate that this effect is taking place on an ecologically relevant scale. In laboratory experiments, simulated ALAN conditions did seem to alter female gamete release patterns and the oscillation patterns of photosynthetic activity and gene expression. This study contributed to the development of new protocols and machinery utilization for the study of D. dichotoma, as well as demonstrating differences in reproductive synchronicity and physiological output when the light:dark cycle of the algae is altered as a proxy for ALAN conditions.
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