A note on development and reproduction inGigartina stellata(Rhodophyceae, gigartinales) from Norway

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Abstract
Carpospores of Gigartina stellata (Stackh.) Batt. from the Norwegian west coast gave rise directly to carposporic plants through two successive generations in culture. Male plants and tetrasporophytes were absent in culture. Carpospores germinated as crustose discs at 12° and 17°C, 200–300 lx and 1500 lx and under photoperiods of L/D 16:8. At the higher temperature and light intensity erect axes were formed and grew to reproductive maturity in about 12 months, with only slight increase in disc diameter after establishment of erect axes. Under conditions of low temperature and light intensity the basal discs increased in diameter through marginal growth, attaining diameters of about 25 mm after 4 years of incubation, with an apparent suppression of erect axes.