CARPOSPORANGIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE RED ALGA SCINAIA-PSEUDOCRISPA (SCINAIA-FORCELLATA) FROM INDIA

The three-celled carpogonial branch of Scinaia pseudocrispa (Clemente) Wynne (S. forcellata Bivona-Bernardi) consists of a basal cell, a hyp ogynous cell and a carpogonium. After fertilisation, the trichogyne se vers and shrivels. The zygote nucleus is transferred from the carpogon ium to the hypogynous cell. The gonimoblast initials arise from the hy pogynous cell. A polysaccharidic envelope provides an isolated and pro tective environment for the carposporophyte and thus enables it to dev elop within the confines of the gametophyte. The carpospores are relea sed through a well developed ostiole.