Bryopsis J.V.Lamouroux, 1809
Lectotype species: Bryopsis pennata J.V.Lamouroux
Original publication: Lamouroux, J.V.F. (1809). Observations sur la physiologie des algues marines, et description de cinq nouveaux genres de cette famille. Nouveau Bulletin des Sciences, par la Société Philomathique de Paris 1: 330-333, fig. 2, pl. 6.
Request PDFType designated in: Egerod, L.E. (1952). An analysis of the siphonous Chlorophycophyta with special reference to the Siphonocladales, Siphonales and Dasycladales of Hawaii. University of California Publications in Botany 25: (i)-iv + 325-453, 23 figs, Plates 29-42.
Precise date of publication: Mar 1809
Description: Thallus (conspicuous phase) most commonly of erect, feather-like uniaxial fronds from a rhizoidal holdfast; height about 2 cm. to occasionally over 40 cm. Growth indeterminate. Alga constructed of uncalcified coenocytic filaments or siphons. Siphon walls of conspicuous and presumably sporophytic phase contain mannan, of gametophytic phase cellulose and xylan. One type of plastid occurs (homoplastic), which contains a pyrenoid. Analysis of DNA fragments indicates molecular sizes of chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA to be about 150 and 220 kilobase pairs respectively. Methods of asexual reproduction include fragmentation, aplanospores, and regeneration from extruded protoplasts. Sexual reproduction involves biflagellated anisogametes produced in essentially unspecialized branchlets (pinnae) segregated from remainder of frond by basal membrane or "plug". Examples of dioecy and monoecy, as well of anisogametes sharing a gametangium occur. Gametic production is not followed by death of entire thallus (holocarpy); discharge of some species at least may be blue light mediated. Flagella have universal 9+2 arrangement of microtubules. Although basic life history pattern involves an alternation of generations (diplohaplontic), different patterns occur and there is evidence for environmental control. One pattern involves alternation of heteromorphic generations as in Bryopsis plumosa (Hudson) C. Ag. from Roscoff, where a plumose gametophyte alternates with a creeping filament or protonema (sporophytic microthallus) which produces stephanokont zoospores. Protonema of at least some species contains a single giant nucleus. Swarmers give rise to male and female gametophytes in approximate ratio of 11. Zygotes, however, may develop fairly directly into characteristic macroscopic thallus (B. plumosa from Zeeland), or else produce microthalli which release anisogametes rather than stephanokontan zoospores. Haploid chromosome numbers of N=4-14 reported with considerable variation reported within particular species.
Information contributed by: L. Hillis. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2013-06-16 by M.D. Guiry.
Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.
Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.
Comments: Global distribution spans polar to tropical latitudes, and temperatures from at least 5 to 27°C. Vertically Bryopsis extends from mid littoral to at least -5 m. It often grows in sheltered sites such as tide pools or on mangrove roots, but also exposed surf environments. In estuaries Bryopsis has been reported growing at salinities as low as 17 parts per thousand.
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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera,
organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA)
and intended to be published in CD format.
These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above.
The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.
Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.
Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=8
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 16 June 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 November 2024
