The biology of <i>Laminaria hyperborea</i> VII. Reproduction of the sporophyte

Abstract

There are two critical stages in the life history of Laminaria hyperborea (Gunn.) Fosl. The first is the attachment of the zoospores (meiospores) to suitable rock surfaces and the second is the successful fusion of gametes. The second clearly partly depends on the first which is in turn affected by the efficiency of zoospore production by the sporophyte and the time of year that this takes place. Because of lack of information on these aspects the present study of reproduction in the sporophyte was undertaken.