Differential alcian blue staining in freshwater rhodophyta

Abstract

Thirty-one species of multicellular, freshwater red algae exhibited a localized reaction to alcian blue, particularly in mucilaginous layers, rhizoids, nodes, spores and spermatia. The effect of MgCl2 on staining was taxon specific; this may be of value for phylogenetic considerations. Alcian blue was also useful for morphometric analysis of large, complex carposporophytes. © 1990 The British Phycological Society.