Effects of salinity and irradiance on early developmental stages of <italic>Grateloupia turuturu</italic> (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) tetrasporophytes

Abstract

<i>Grateloupia turuturu</i> is a red alga with a flat but firm slippery thallus. Throughout its lifetime, this alga experiences a wide range of environmental stresses in the intertidal rocky shores. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of salinity and irradiance on the early developmental stages of <i>G. turuturu </i>tetrasporophytes. The released carpospores were cultivated at different salinities (S = 15, 25, and 35) and irradiances (50, 100, and 200 μmol photons m<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>). Germination of carpospores and development of juvenile tetrasporophytes were observed every 5 days and recorded by a digital camera. Discoid crusts were formed at all conditions within 5 days. The discoid crusts at 200 μmol photons m<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> died within 20 days regardless the salinity. The discoid crusts at S = 35 also died at all irradiance conditions within 25 days. Except for those at S = 35 and 200 μmol photons m<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>, the discoid crusts reached about 8,000–9,000 μm<sup>2</sup> by day 20. Regardless of irradiance, the upright thalli formation rate from discoid crusts was 85 and 10% at S = 15 and S = 25, respectively. These results suggest that salinity and irradiance are important factors influencing early developmental stages of <i>G. turuturu</i>.