Cultivation of the red alga Chondracanthus chamissoi: sexual reproduction and seedling production in culture under controlled conditions

Abstract

The red alga Chondracanthus chamissoi (Gigartinales) is endemic to the southern-central region of South America. In the Pacific Ocean, it is distributed from northcentral Peru to Chiloe Island. This species is of economic importance because it is edible and used for carrageenan production. The tetrasporophyte phase was grown in the laboratory, obtaining male and female gametophytes that were incubated under different photoperiod, pH, salinity and temperature conditions. These gametophytes developed and generated reproductive structures that led to in vitro maturation. Subsequently, fertilisation occurred and formation of cystocarps was observed. Finally, carpospores were released and the formation of sporophytes completed the life history of this species under laboratory conditions. Reproductive phase growth rates were recorded for each of the different culture conditions used. Sporophytes reached the highest daily growth rate (22%), while gametophyte's daily growth rate was slower (9%). This research confirms, in vitro, the assumption that C. chamissoi has a sexual triphasic life history Polysiphonia type with isomorphic gametophytes and tetrasporophytes. The development of the complete life history took 20 months in the laboratory.

Secondary attachment discs: a new alternative for restoring populations of Chondracanthus chamissoi (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta)

“…The sporophyte phase had the highest values in the number of SADs formed and for the colonization of the substrate via the generation of SADc, reaching 32 ± 15 discs on the calcareous substrate. Just as with previous studies of this species (González & Meneses, 1996;González et al, 1997;Bulboa & Macchiavello, 2001;Ávila et al, 2011;Vega & Meneses, 2001), the results presented here show significant differences between the phases studied, with higher values in the number of SADs and SADc, which would give advantages to one phase over another. This is a highly important factor to consider for this species due to its growing economic importance and because the type of carrageenan produced varies according to phase.…”

Morphological variability in a red seaweed: confirmation of co‐occurring f. lessonii and f. chauvinii in Chondracanthus chamissoi (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales)

“…, Hoffmann and Santelices , Ávila et al. ). Given that gametophytes are dioic, three types of free‐living individuals can be found, the male and female gametophytes and the sporophytes.…”

Intertidal Seaweeds Modulate a Contrasting Response in Understory Seaweed and Microphytobenthic Early Recruitment

“…In Baja California, the macroscopic stages of P. perforata can persist throughout the year. Both red algae can produce spores larger than 20 µM (Knight and Nelson, 1999;Maggs and Callow, 2003;Avila et al, 2011). At the time of the experiment, at least 50% of all blades were reproductive.…”