Long-term and diurnal carpospore discharge patterns in the Ceramiaceae, Rhodomelaceae and Delesseriaceae (Rhodophyta)

In laboratory culture, controlled fertilization resulted in mature carpospo rophytes of the Ceramiales indicated below. Carpospore discharge was observ ed daily. In the Ceramiaceae Spyridia filamentosa cystocarp-pairs released spores twice in succession (range: 32-537 total spores/carposporophyte). Di scharge by all cystocarp-pairs occurred during the dark period of the daily light:dark cycle (12:12 LD) and was completed in 12 d. In reverse cycle (1 2:12 and 16:8 DL) spore release reversed in 3d. In the Rhodomelaceae Bostry chia moritziana, Pterosiphonia pennata and Murrayella periclados discharged spores from isolated cystocarps over periods up 58 d (ranges: 318-4112, 10 51-2271 and 451-3162 total spores/carposporophyte respectively) without any diurnal or long-term rhythmicity. In the Delesseriaceae cystocarps of Calo glossa leprieurii and Caloglossa ogasawaraensis released spores for up to 3 1 d (ranges: 271-3050 and 565-1286 total spores/carposp orophyte respective ly). Discharge peaks occurred at 5-7 d intervals with viable cystocarps and spore numbers gradually declining. Thus, in the plants studied, there are at least three patterns of carpospore release from individual mature carpos porophytes: a relatively short-term dual release pattern, a long-term non-r hythmic release pattern and a long-term rhythmic release pattern. Results a lso indicated that excised cystocarps without associated vegetative branche s showed a much reduced spore production.