Scanning electron microscopy of early sporeling ontogeny of <i>Chondrus crispus</i>

Abstract

Early ontogeny of sporelings of Chondrus crispus Stackhouse has been examined using scanning electron microscopy. The most significant feature is the formation of a blanket-like extracellular sheath preceding internal cell differentiation. It is suggested that this sheath may play an important role in determining the type of sporeling development, discoid or filamentous, and the coalescence of adjacent sporelings.