The life history of Chondrus crispus in culture

Abstract

The life history of the rhodophycean alga, Chondrus crispus, was completed in culture in about 20 months. Plants established from tetraspores formed male and female gametophytes and subsequently carposporophytes; carpospores in turn gave rise to plants with mature tetrasporangia. Tetraspores from these resulted in second generation gametophytes. Carpospores of plants from nature developed into tetrasporophytes; gametophytes derived from the tetraspores became sexually mature within a year. Sporophytic and gametophytic plants were, as expected, morphologically similar. Rate of growth of plants in cultures was comparable with published observations made on plants in nature. Preliminary experiments showed that, in culture, regeneration can occur from both the erect frond and the basal disc. In the latter, erect fronds may arise from any point on the dorsal surface of the disc.