Reproduction of Rhodochorton purpureum from Jeju Island, Korea and San Juan Island, Washington, USA in Laboratory Culture

doi:2006.21.1.103

Algae > Volume 21(1); 2006 > Article

Algae 2006;21(1): 103-107. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2006.21.1.103

Kathryn A. West¹, John A. West¹^* and Yongpil Lee²

¹School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3010, Australia
²Department of Life Science, Jeju National University, Jeju 690-756, Korea

ABSTRACT

Rhodochorton purpureum 4187 from Jeju Island, Korea may have a sexual life history similar to that seen by other investigators working on other strains around the world. In culture short days (8:16, 11:13, 12:12 LD) at 10-15°C induced tetrasporogenesis. Discharged spores were observed with time lapse videomicroscopy. They showed a slight amoeboid movement for 2-3 minutes before rounding up and settling. Tetrasporelings develop into male and female gametophytes. No fertilisation was observed. Tetrasporangia often were borne on carpogonial clusters of females but no discharged spores were seen. Isolate 4241 from San Juan I., Washington, USA grew well in most conditions tested but did not reproduce in short days (8:16, 11:13, 12:12 LD) at 10-15°C.

Key words: Korea, USA, Rhodochorton purpureum, short-day-tetrasporogenesis, spore-motility, time lapse videomicroscopy,