Skip to main content
Download PDF
  • Published:

Studies on sexual compatibility betweenEctocarpus siliculosus (Phaeophyceae) from Chile and the Mediterranean Sea

Helgoländer Meeresuntersuchungen volume 42, pages 469–476 (1988)Cite this article

Abstract

Clonal isolates of the brown algaEctocarpus siliculosus (Ectocarpales) originating from Naples (Mediterranean Sea) and southern Chile were compared in laboratory culture studies. The two isolates showed distinctly different morphological characters, but very similar details of life history and sexual reproduction. Gametes are sexually compatible; hybrid zygotes are formed and sporophytes develop, which are fertile on the basis of mitotic spores. However, unilocular sporangia were abortive, indicating segregational sterility caused by chromosomal mismatch during meiosis. Although the biological species concept in a strict sense does not apply, and appreciable morphological variability exists in this cosmopolitan taxon, local populations are considered as representatives of the same species.

Literature Cited

  • Berthold, G., 1881. Die geschlechtliche Fortpflanzung der eigentlichen Phaeosporeen.—Mitt. zool. Stn Neapel2, 401–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolton, J. J., 1983. Ecoclinal variation inEctocarpus siliculosus (Phaeophyceae) with respect to temperature growth optima and survival limits.—Mar. Biol.73, 131–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobzhansky, T., Ayala, F. J., Stebbins, G. L. & Valentine, J. W., 1977. Evolution. Freeman, San Francisco, 572 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lüning, K., 1985. Meeresbotanik. Thieme, Stuttgart, 375 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maier, I. & Müller, D. G., 1986. Sexual pheromones in algae.—Biol. Bull. mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole170, 145–175.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Müller, D. G., 1967. Generationswechsel, Kernphasenwechsel und Sexualität der BraunalgeExtocarpus siliculosus im Kulturversuch.—Planta75, 39–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller, D. G., 1976. Relative sexuality inEctocarpus siliculosus. A scientific error.—Archs Microbiol.109, 89–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller, D. G., 1979. Genetic affinity ofEctocarpus siliculosus (Dillw.) Lyngb. from the Mediterranean, North Atlantic and Australia.—Phycologia18, 312–318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müller, D. G. & Gassmann, G., 1980. Sexual hormone specificity inEctocarpus andLaminaria (Phaeophyceae).—Naturwissenschaften67, 462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton, L., 1931. A handbook of the British seaweeds. British Museum, London, 478 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Russell, G., 1966. The genusExtocarpus in Britain. I. The attached forms.—J. mar. biol. Ass. U. K.46, 267–294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Starr, R. C., 1978. The culture collection of algae at the University of Texas at Austin.—J. Phycol.14, (Suppl.), 47–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fakultät für Biologie der Universität, D-7750, Konstanz, Federal Republic of Germany

    Dieter G. Müller

Authors
  1. Dieter G. Müller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dedicated to Dr. Dr. h. c. Peter Kornmann on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Müller, D.G. Studies on sexual compatibility betweenEctocarpus siliculosus (Phaeophyceae) from Chile and the Mediterranean Sea. Helgolander Meeresunters 42, 469–476 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02365621

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02365621

Keywords

Helgoland Marine Research

ISSN: 1438-3888

Contact us