Spatial distribution of tetrasporophytes and gametophytes in four Maritime populations of Chondrus crispus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Four commercially important populations of Chondrus crispus Stackhouse were studied to assess the distribution of lambda-carrageenan (tetrasporophytes) and kappa-carrageenan (gametophytes) producing plants. Populations from Rustico, North Lake, and Miminegash, Prince Edward Island, were 22.2, 22.8, and 31.2%, respectively, in the percentage of tetrasporophytes. The population at Toney River, Nova Scotia, consisted of 51.4% tetrasporophytes, significantly (P < 0.01) higher than the other three populations. In each of the four populations significantly (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) more tetrasporophytes were observed in the outermost portions of the beds. When the data from all populations were pooled, the inner beds had 23.0% tetrasporophytes while the outer beds had 40.4% and thus differed significantly (P < 0.01). The possible reasons for these distributions are discussed.