The life history ofAcrochaete wittrockii (Ulvellaceae, Chlorophyta)

Abstract

Acrochaete wittrockii (Wille) Nielsen is a heteromorphic diplohaplont. The haplophase consists of isomorphic, dioecious filamentous epiphytes on brown algae. Several generations follow each other by triflagellate zoospores from spring to early summer. By late summer and throughout autumn, quadriflagellate zoopores are produced by the epiphytic thalli; they give rise to male and female gametophytes of a globular, pseudoparenchymatic appearance in culture. The gametophytes produce anisogamic biflagellate gametes which, after gametic union, develop into diploid unicellular sporophytes. After 6–7 days, the sporophyte produces triflagellate zoospores, repeating the life history when germinating on brown algal hosts. Alternatively, triflagellate zoospores which settle on the bottom of petri dishes, develop into unicellular, autonomous sporangial plants. Their triflagellate spores repeat the epiphytic stage on brown algal hosts, or the sporangial plant cycle on non-living substrate, respectively.