Sexual and asexual reproduction in a freshwater population of Bangia atropurpurea (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from eastern Sicily (Italy)

The life history of Bangia atropurpurea (Bangiales, Rhodophyta) from the Al cantara River (Sicily, Italy) was studied in the field and laboratory. An a lternation between a macroscopic phase and a microscopic filamentous concho celis phase was Found, and spermatia and carpogonia are described for the f irst time in a freshwater population of the species. Endosporangia have als o been discovered on gametophytic plants in culture. In addition, the conch ocelis phase produced either conchosporangia or monosporangia, and reproduc tion by fragmentation was common. Sexuality was indicated by chromosome cou nts of n = 3 and 2n = 6 in gametophytes and sporophytes, respectively: rest ing cells were observed in both.