PATTERNS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SPORE DISPERSAL IN THE GIANT KELP, MACROCYSTIS PYRIFERA

Abstract

We investigated patterns of spore dispersal in the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera by collecting 80 independent measurements of spore dispersal from isolated individuals and isolated groups of individuals over a two‐year period. Our results indicate that giant kelp spores routinely disperse both short (i.e. a couple meters) and long (i.e. hundreds to thousands of meters) distances depending on the oceanographic conditions. One consequence of spore dispersal over short distances is self‐fertilization (i.e., fertilization between male and female gametophytes derived from the same sporophyte). Field experiments designed to test the effects of self‐fertilization on lifetime fitness in Macrocystis revealed significant inbreeding depression. Birth rates in self‐fertilized populations were ca. 50% of those produced from outcrossing, which lead to significant differences in cohort size that persisted up through the adult stage. In contrast to outcrossed populations, very few individuals produced from selfing became reproductively mature, and those that did were significantly less fecund than outcrossed individuals. By contrast, long‐range dispersal of spores leads to increased rates of outcrossing. However, long‐range dispersal is typically accompanied by massive dilution of spores, leading to low densities of spore settlement. Sparse spore settlement decreases the overall chance of fertilization in the microscopic gametophyte generation thereby reducing the potential for colonization of the macroscopic sporophyte stage. Large population size of adult sporophytes coupled with the synchronous release of spores in response to environmental cues can help offset the effects of spore dilution and extend the distances over which giant kelp is able to colonize.