Summary
Differentiation of the female gametangium inCutleria bancockii Dawson is described. Four series of mitoses result in a 16-locule structure (four tiers of four cells each). The organelles in each locule become polarized after partitioning is complete, with the mitochondria lying near the longitudinal axis of the gametangium. The nucleus and plastids are centrally located, with abundant osmiophilic material present in the cytoplasm subjacent to the gametangial surface. Both electron density and Toluidine Blue 0 staining of the material increase. Two flagella are then produced: one becomes tightly appressed to the plasmalemma near its base, and the other is free. A prominent eyespot forms in the plastid nearest the developing flagella. Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum vesicles are prolific in this region and seem to be involved with mastigoneme production and deposition on the free flagellum. Immediately beneath the plasmalemma, flagellar rootlet tubules emanate from amorphous masses near the basal bodies. Some of these tubules are associated with the eyespot. Most of the osmiophilic material is then secreted into the extracytoplasmic spaces while the gametes are rounding up. Granular-cored vesicles may be involved with pore formation and gamete release.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Baker, J. R. J., Evans, L. V., 1973 a: The ship fouling algaEctocarpus. I. Ultrastructure and cytochemistry of plurilocular reproductive stages. Protoplasma77, 1–13.
— —, 1973 b: The ship-fouling algaEctocarpus. II Ultrastructure of the unilocular reproductive stages. Protoplasma77, 181–189.
Bouck, G. B., 1965: Fine structure and organelle associations in brown algae. J. Cell Biol.26, 523–537.
—, 1969: Extracellular microtubules. The origin, structure, and attachment of flagellar hairs inFucus andAscophyllum antherozoids. J. Cell Biol.40, 446–460.
Caram, B., 1975: Aspects ultrastructuraux de la spermatogenése chez leCutleria adspersa (Phéophycées, Cutlériales) de la côte méditerranéenne française. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris)281 (D), 1089–1092.
—, 1977 a: Quelques observations nouvelles sur le cycle de reproduction duCutleria adspersa (Mert.) De Notaris (Phéophycées, Cutlériales) des côtes françaises. Rev. Algol. (N. S.)12, 87–99.
—, 1977 b: The ultrastructure of the female gamete inCutleria adspersa (Mert.) De Not (Phaeophyceae, Cutleriales). J. Phycol.13 (Suppl.), 11 (Abstr.).
Chi, E. Y., Neushul, M., 1972: Electron microscopic studies of sporogenesis inMacrocystis. Proc. Int. Seaweed Symp.7, 181–187.
Dawes, C. J., 1971: Biological techniques in electron microscopy. New York: Barnes and Noble, Inc.
Dawson, E. Y., 1944: The marine algae of the Gulf of California. Los Angeles: Univ. of So. Calif. Press.
Dodge, J. D., 1973: The fine structure of algal cells. London: Academic Press.
Evans, L. V., 1966: Distribution of pyrenoids among some brown algae. J. Cell Sci.1, 449–454.
—,Holligan, M. S., 1972: Correlated light and electron microscope studies on brown algae. II. Physode production inDictyota. New Phytol.71, 1173–1180.
Fritsch, F. E., 1952: The structure and reproduction of the algae. Vol. II. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press.
Gherardini, G. L., North, W. J., 1972: Electron microscopic studies ofMacrocystis pyrifera zoospores, gametophytes, and early sporophytes. Proc. Int. Seaweed Symp.7, 172–180.
Hori, T., 1972: Survey of pyrenoid distribution in the vegetative cells of brown algae. Proc. Int. Seaweed Symp.7, 165–171.
La Claire, J. W., II, West, J. A., 1977: Virus-like particles in the brown algaStreblonema. Protoplasma93, 127–130.
Liddle, L. B., Neushul, M., 1969: Reproduction inZonaria farlowii. II. Cytology and ultrastructure. J. Phycol.5, 4–12.
Lofthouse, P. F., Capon, B., 1975: Ultrastructural changes accompanying mitosporogenesis inEctocarpus parvus. Protoplasma86, 83–99.
Loiseaux, S., 1973: Ultrastructure of zoidogenesis in unilocular zoidocysts of several brown algae. J. Phycol.9, 277–289.
—,West, J. A., 1970: Brown algal mastigonemes: comparative ultrastructure. Trans. Amer. Microsc. Soc.89, 524–532.
Markey, D. R., Bouck, G. B., 1977: Mastigoneme attachment inOchromonas. J. Ultrastruct. Res.59, 173–177.
—,Wilce, R. T., 1975: The ultrastructure of reproduction in the brown algaPylaiella littoralis. I. Mitosis and cytokinesis in the plurilocular gametangia. Protoplasma85, 219–241.
— —, 1976 a: The ultrastructure of reproduction in the brown algaPylaiella littoralis. III. Later stages of gametogenesis in the plurilocular gametangia. Protoplasma88, 175–186.
— —, 1976 b: The ultrastructure of reproduction in the brown algaPylaiella littoralis. II. Zoosporogenesis in the unilocular sporangia. Protoplasma88, 147–173.
Müller, D. G., 1974: Sexual reproduction and isolation of a sex attractant inCutleria multifida (Smith) Grev. (Phaeophyta). Biochem. Physiol. Pflanz. (BPP)165, 212–215.
Niklas, K. J., 1977: Applications of finite element analyses to problems in plant morphology. Ann. Bot.41, 133–153.
Pollock, E. G., Cassell, R. Z., 1977: An intracristal component ofFucus sperm mitochondria. J. Ultrastruct. Res.58, 172–177.
Ragan, M. A., 1976: Physodes and the phenolic compounds of brown algae. Composition and significance of physodesin vivo. Bot. Mar.19, 145–154.
Simon, M.-F., 1954: Recherches sur les pyrénoïdes des Phéophycées. Rev. Cytol. Biol. Vég.15, 73–106.
Toth, R., 1974: Sporangial structure and zoosporogenesis inChorda tomentosa (Laminariales). J. Phycol.10, 170–185.
—, 1976: A mechanism of propagule release from unilocular reproductive structures in brown algae. Protoplasma89, 263–278.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
La Claire, J.W., West, J.A. Light- and electron-microscopic studies of growth and reproduction inCutleria (Phaeophyta) . Protoplasma 97, 93–110 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276686
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01276686