Developmental and histochemical studies on carposporophyte of Solieria robusta (Greville) Kylin Solieriaceae, Gigartinales) from Port Okha, India

Abstract

Solieria robusta shows isomorphic alternation of generation. The female thallus is terete with erect lateral branches that show attenuation at their bases. The thallus is differentiated into cortex and medulla. The female thallus surface shows many scattered cystocarps that appeared as black coloured dots. The development of the cystocarp is acropetal. The thallus surface is raised due to presence of cystocarps with a small circular ostiole in the centre. The complete gelatinization of extracellular mucilage and degeneration of surrounding vegetative cells makes an orifice above the thallus surface for the carpospores release. Mature cystocarp is embedded in the medullary region. A distinct gradient  of cytoplasmic polysaccharides is seen from fusion cell to carpospores. The carposporangia and carpospores are replete with floridean starch grains and sulphated polsaccharides. The mature carposporangial cytoplasm is fully packed with floridean starch grains, fibrous vesicles and chloroplasts. Carposporangial wall is three to five layered and is composed of microfibrils.