Cortication as a Taxonomic Character in Polysiphonia japonica Harvey ( Rhodophyta )

Algae > Volume 2(2); 1987 > Article

Algae 1987;2(2): 203-209.

Ha Yong Yoon

ABSTRACT

Polysiphonia japonica Harvey and P. decumbens Segi, corticated species, were cultured on various substrata. In P. japonica cultured from tetraspores on glass dishes, cortication appeared slowly after reproductive organs were developing. Tetraspores adhered on thread developed to variously shaped thalli which had thickened basal parts but no cortical cells. Carpospores adhered on Ceramium tenerrimum developed into elongate fronds with rare branches and no cortication. P. decumbens developed from tetraspores on the parent thalli became mature to male and female, most of which were ecorticated, so that the plants resembled P. japonica var. savatieri in gross morphology. Culture result reveals that presence or absence of cortical cells is closely related to the frond size determined by various environmental factors including the substrata which spores adhere on: Therefore, cortication does not seem to be significant as a taxonomic character for the species of Polysiphonia japonica group.