The biology of Harveyella mirabilis (Cryptonemiales, Rhodophyceae). IV. Life history and phenology

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Botany
• Main Authors: Goff, Lynda J., Cole, Kathleen
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: French
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1976
• Subjects: Plant Science; Pacific; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b76-026; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/b76-026

A 20-month field study of the reproductive biology of the parasitic red alga Harveyella mirabilis was undertaken to investigate the effects of environmental parameters on the reproductive periodicity of Harveyella in the intertidal habitat. In the northeast Pacific, tetraspores have been observed in the late winter - early spring; apparently they are produced in response to increased available sunlight and water temperature. Gametogenesis appears to be temperature sensitive; it occurs between a narrow temperature range (9–11 °C). Carpospores are produced in the late summer when both water temperature and day length reach a peak. The phenology of H. mirabilis in the North Atlantic differs from that which is observed in the North Pacific in the timing of gametogenesis and carposporogenesis. The significance of this is discussed in relation to the possible effects of differences in seawater temperature on gametogenesis.