ECOLOGICAL AND EVOLUTIONARY ASPECTS OF MO DULAR ARCHITECTURE IN PLANTS - PERSPECTIVES IN MARINE-ALGAE

A review and analysis about several aspects on the modular constructio n in plants is presented, with emphasis on the ecological and evolutiv e consequences of this kind of construction. First of all, fundamental s that allow the reader to follow all the concepts without definition problems are given. Modifications done to the population models are an alized, in order to incorporate the fact that plants are constructed b y iterative unities. With concrete examples, consequences of modular c onstruction in. form, size and regulation are described. Subsequently biological interactions with modular construction are approached, such as the relations that results from the competition between clonal org anisms. The second section of the review is concentreated on the analy sis of the concepts of modularity and clonality in the world of marine macroalgae. The definition of module in marine macroalgae is discusse d with the conclusion that they can be conceptualized as modular organ isms. All the ecological and evolutive consequences, analyzed for terr estrial vascular plants can be applied to the study of the ecology of marine macroalgae.