BIOTIC

BIOTIC Species Information for Ceramium virgatum

Researched by

Dr Keith Hiscock and Paolo Pizzolla

Data supplied by

MarLIN

Refereed by

Dr Fabio Rindi

Reproduction/Life History

Reproductive type

Alternation of generations

Developmental mechanism

Spores (sexual / asexual)

Reproductive Season

See additional information

Reproductive Location

As adult

Reproductive frequency

Annual protracted

Regeneration potential

Life span

3-5 years

Age at reproductive maturity

Insufficient information

Generation time

See additional information

Fecundity

Insufficient information

Egg/propagule size

Fertilization type

Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential	10-100m	Larval settlement period
Duration of larval stage	See additional information

Reproduction Preferences Additional Information

Edwards (1973) reports that Ceramium virgatum (as rubrum) has a triphasic life history consisting of a sequence of gametophytic, carposporophytic and tetrasporophytic phases in which the first and the third are morphologically similar. Maggs & Hommersand (1993) report that spermatangia are recorded in January, March-April, June and August-September; cystocarps in January-February and April-September; tetrasporangia in February-September. Although no information on dispersal has been found directly for Ceramium virgatum, Norton (1992) concluded that dispersal potential is highly variable in seaweeds. Spores of Ulva sp. (as Enteromorpha) have been reported to travel 35 km, Phycodrys rubens 5 km and Sargassum muticum up to 1 km. However, the point is made that reach of the furthest propagule and useful dispersal range are not the same thing and recruitment usually occurs on a much more local scale, typically within 10 m of the parent plant.

Reproduction References

Maggs & Hommersand, 1993, Norton, 1992, Edwards, 1973,