Developmental Morphology of Osmundea crispa (Ceramiales, Rhodophyta) from California

Developmental morphology of the red alga, Osmundea crispa (Hollenberg) Nam from California was studied on the basis of liquid-preserved and herbarium specimens. Vegetative axial segment of the species produces two pericentral cells and one trichoblast. Spermatangial filaments (branches) are derived from apical and epidermal cells in pocket-shaped apical pit with an ostiole-like upper opening. Procarp-bearing segment of female trichoblast produces five pericentral cells, of which the fifth functions as supporting cell of carpogonial branch. Tetrasporangial production occurs in random epidermal cells in apical pit of branchlets, and two presporangial cover cells show parallel arrangement to stichidial axis. As this vegetative and reproductive development is included in the generic delineation of Osmundea Stackhouse, O. crispa among the known Osmundea species is characterized by habit forming compact cushion-like clump with angular to terete thallus. It is also distinguished from O. hybrida (AP. de Candolle) Nam without the compressed thallus by the number of pericentral cells in procarp-bearing segment and shape of spermatangial pit. Taxonomic implication of the shape of spermatangial pit is also included.