Abstract
Enteromorpha prolifera of the isomorphic diploid sporophyte and the haploid gametophyte generations inhabit rocks, tidal flats and tidal pools in the middle parts of intertidal zones. In this experiment, their thalli were observed by bare eyes from October and experienced $74\pm16.5cm$ maximum growth the following March and April. The rate of occurrence of the thalli per month was highest in March, while their biomass peaked at $1,464\pm41.5 g/m^2$ in Jangheung in April. Genetic similarity was investigated samples of E. prolifera collected from Muan, Wando, Jangheung, Yosu and Jinhae, at the south coast of Korea. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used. For the RAPD analysis, 3 ng of the DNA extracted from the thalli using he phenol/chloroform method was amplified by PCR with a 25 {\mu}L$ reaction solution, arbitrary primers and 36 cycles. Among the 60 primers used, 31 yielded products, most of which showed diverse electrophoresis patterns. Similarities among the groups compared ranged from 0.37 to 0.58. We conclude that the use of RAPD analysis is appropriate to characterize the genetic variability of this commercial species along its geographical distribution.