Sexual reproduction of Caulerpa parvifolia (Chlorophyta; Caulerpaceae)

Authors:
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Caulerpa seaweeds reproduce clonally via fragmentation, but sporadic sexual reproduction is also posited to be a common feature of their life cycles. Sexual reproduction of Caulerpa seaweeds is understudied, with evidence of gametogenesis reported for Caulerpa species and only one prior record from gametogenesis through to new juvenile plants (for Caulerpa racemosa ). In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted to observe and document the process of sexual reproduction in Caulerpa parvifolia and test the effect of light stress as an environmental trigger of gametogenesis. Sexual reproduction was observed via holocarpic production of male and female gametes from monoecious individuals. Gametes were released en masse from papillae and fused in the water column to form zygotes, which settled, expanded into spherical bodies, and elongated into primary germ tubes. By 35 days post spawning, these germ tubes had become juveniles comprising a stolon bearing fronds and rhizoids. Sexual reproduction was triggered by light levels that exceed the optima for C. parvifolia , supporting a hypothesis that stochastic environmental stressors may trigger gametogenesis. These findings add to the fundamental knowledge of reproduction in the genus Caulerpa and provide specific insights to help inform the management of invasive C. parvifolia populations.

This publication has 39 references indexed in Scilit: