Eco-physiological and biochemical study of two of the most contrasting forms of Chondrus crispus (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales)

Abstract

For Chondrus crispus in Britanny, seasonal variations of generations were more pronounced in the infralittoral than in the midlittoral form; the former had more reproductively mature plants and twice as many tetrasporophytes. Growth was greater in the infralittoral than in the midlittoral form. Contents of total carrageenans were comparable in the two forms. The midlittoral form had a higher total phosphorus content, more marked seasonal variations and an earlier spring decline than the infralittoral form. Seasonal variations of total nitrogen content had different patterns in the two forms during summer. The dry matter content of the infralittoral form was lower than that of the midlittoral form. -from Authors