CHROMOSOMAL ALTERNATION OF GENERATIONS IN NEREOCYSTIS LUETKEANA (MERTENS) POSTELS AND RUPRECHT

Abstract

A cytological examination of the life history of Nereocystis luetkeana has shown that an alternating chromosome number corresponds to the morphological alternation of generations. The first division sequence of the zoosporangial nucleus is meiotic and is followed by three, usually synchronous, mitotic divisions. Thirty-two zoospores are liberated from each sporangium, and their germination gives rise to male and female gametophytes. Genotypic determination of the sexes is believed to take place in Nereocystis. Mitosis in the gametophytes is regular and cytokinesis follows each nuclear division, producing few cells in the female and many cells in the male gametophytes. Thirty-one chromosomes can be counted at the mitotic prophase. Oogamy exists in Nereocystis and fertilization takes place after the egg is extruded from the oogonium. Nuclear division in the sporophyte appears to be preceded by division of the nucleolus. Colorless and non-septate rhizoids develop as elongations of the basal cells of the sporophyte.Temperature is an important factor in the development of various stages of the life cycle of Nereocystis grown in culture, particularly in the gametophytic stage where sexual structures are produced only at temperatures less than 10 °C and vegetative growth is most prolific at 14–18 °C.Some of the unfertilized eggs develop parthenogenetically and give rise to stunted, deformed plants with multinucleate cells.