Variation in the sexual behaviour of natural clones of Achnanthes longipes (Bacillariophyta)

Abstract

Monoecious, bisexual and unisexual clones of Achnanthes longipes were isolated from the Black Sea and studied in laboratory culture. Clones differed in their growth characteristics: in monoecious clones the cells formed tufted aggregations while in other clones they were more dispersed. Bisexual and unisexual clones exhibited intraclonal (monoecious) reproduction, but only at a very low frequency and usually within a more restricted size range than in monoecious clones. Interclonal crosses were made in all possible pairwise combinations. Abundant auxosporulation took place in all crosses, except where unisexual clones of the same sex were incubated together. Auxosporulation was more vigorous and occurred over a wider size range in interclonal crosses than during monoecious reproduction. Sexual reproduction is isogamous. In the commonest pattern of auxosporulation, two paired gametangia each produce two gametes, which fuse to give two auxospores. More rarely (9 % of pairs), the gametangia produce only one gamete apiece, and hence only one auxospore. In addition, very small cells can enlarge vegetatively, although genetic or cytological damage sometimes compromises their long-term viability.