• ALGAE
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2011

Similar to other species of Gigartinaceae Chondrus crispus has an alternation of perennial, isomorphic gametophytic and sporophytic generations. As these two generations co-exist independently within populations and obtain their resources in a similar manner, intraspecific competition is expected. In populations within the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, fronds of both generations of C. crispus occur in similar numbers. This equivalency can be related to substratum instability, where the population is dynamic with a high turn-over rate of genets. These observations support a stochastic hypothesis to account for distribution of gametophytes and sporophytes in this area. Along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, where the substratum is stable, gametophytes are overwhelmingly predominant. Gametophytic predominance is greatest in the lower littoral zone where C. crispus is abundant and space is limited. Under the fucoid canopy where "free-space" exists, the gametophyte to sporophyte ratio is lower. Gametophytic and sporophytic fronds are distributed equally among different size-classes and size-distribution is not considered a competitive factor. Previous studies have shown that sporophytic fronds of C. crispus are more susceptible to infections by endophytic algae and other pathogens, and are more heavily grazed by herbivores than are gametophytic fronds. Thus, mechanistic factors are strongly implied in the selection of gametophytes in the Atlantic population.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.26 no.1
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• pp.61-71
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• 2011

Thirty populations of Chondrus crispus Stackhouse from Nova Scotia were collected during the years 1993 to 2011. Taken from estuaries, wave exposed open coasts, high intertidal rock pools and shallow subtidal habitats, the populations were evaluated for relative abundance of tetrasporophytic and gametophytic life history phases. Over 2,800 thalli were characterized using the resorcinol-acetal test to distinguish the kappa- and lambda-carrageenan containing fronds of gametophytes and tetrasporophytes, respectively. These populations had $77{\pm}5%$ gametophytes (mean ${\pm}95%$ confidence interval), with most populations having gametophyte : sporophyte ratios ranging from 2 : 1 to 9 : 1. No population had a dominance of tetrasporophytes, although two populations had 1 : 1 ratios. A meta-analysis of our data along with previously published accounts showed no significant changes in gametophyte dominance with respect to hypothesized gradients of wave exposure, salinity, or water depth. Significant changes occurred in ratios at five sites where replicate sampling occurred in different years. We conclude that C. crispus in Maritime Canada has a natural ratio of 3 : 1 or greater in stable conditions, and that lower ratios represent recovery from disturbance in which bare substratum is created that is subsequently colonized by carpospores from remaining gametophytic thalli.