Abstract
Gracilaria tenuistipitata , a species of commercial interest, is becoming a model organism for studies on red algal physiology and molecular biology as it can be grown easily in vitro under a broad range of conditions. Most of the experiments carried out around the world have been based on a tetrasporophytic clone isolated in our laboratory from a specimen collected in China. Here we describe the life history of this species, give anatomic details of the reproductive structures, illustrate the morphological variability of tetraspore progeny and compare the growth rate of gametophytic and sporophytic thalli. Tetrasporophytic branches showed higher growth rates than gametophytic branches.
Highlights
The genus Gracilaria (Rhodophyta: Gracilariales) has been intensively investigated due to its economic importance, high diversity and taxonomic problems (e.g. Bellorin et al, 2002)
Among the many species recognised in the genus, Gracilaria tenuistipitata C.F
A species originally described from China, has been a favourite alga for different types of investigations because it is kept in vitro under a broad range of growing conditions (e.g. Macchiavello et al, 1998; Carnicas et al, 1999; Hagopian et al, 2004)
Summary
The genus Gracilaria (Rhodophyta: Gracilariales) has been intensively investigated due to its economic importance, high diversity and taxonomic problems (e.g. Bellorin et al, 2002). Among the many species recognised in the genus, Gracilaria tenuistipitata C.F. Chang et B.M. Xia, a species originally described from China, has been a favourite alga for different types of investigations because it is kept in vitro under a broad range of growing conditions Macchiavello et al, 1998; Carnicas et al, 1999; Hagopian et al, 2004). In addition to the academic interest, G. tenuistipitata is cultivated in China as a source of agar and as fodder in abalone (Haliotis sp.) farms (Chiang, 1981; Lin and Liao, 1999). There is very little information on the life history of this species, or informa-
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
