Seaweed reproductive biology: environmental and genetic controls

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Abstract: 

Knowledge of life cycle progression and reproduction of seaweeds transcends pure academic interest. Successful and sustainable seaweed exploitation and domestication will indeed require excellent control of the factors controlling growth and reproduction. The relative dominance of the ploidy-phases and their respective morphologies, however, display tremendous diversity. Consequently, the ecological and endogenous factors controlling life cycles are likely to be equally varied. A vast number of research papers addressing theoretical, ecological and physiological aspects of reproduction have been published over the years. Here, we review the current knowledge on reproductive strategies, trade-offs of reproductive effort in natural populations, and the environmental and endogenous factors controlling reproduction. Given that the majority of ecophysiological studies predate the “-omics” era, we examine the extent to which this knowledge of reproduction has been, or can be, applied to further our knowledge of life cycle control in seaweeds.

Author(s): 
Olivier De Clerck
Michael Y. Roleda
Frederik Leliaert
Aschwin H. Engelen
Kenny Bogaert
Xiaojie Liu
Keywords: 
endogenous control
environmental factors
fertilization
life cycle
seaweed reproduction
Article Source: 
Botanica Marina 2017; 60(2): 89-108
Category: 
Basic Biology
Ecological Services