Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr. 48(3): 635-639

Research Note

Proposal of a fertility index of Hypnea for ecophysiological studies

Taiara Aguiar Caires^1,2, Mara Rojane Barros de Matos³, Goia de Mattos Lyra^1,2, José Geraldo de Aquino Assis⁴ and José Marcos de Castro Nunes^2,3

¹Programa de Pós Graduação em Botânica da Universidade Estadual de Feira de Santana (PPGBot-UEFS), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Av. Universitária, s/n. 44031-460, Feira de Santana, Bahia, Brasil

²Laboratório de Algas Marinhas (LAMAR), Departamento de Botânica, Instituto de Biologia, Campus de Ondina, CEP 40210-730, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

³Universidade do Estado da Bahia, Departamento de Ciências Exatas e da Terra, Campus II, Rodovia Alagoinhas/Salvador, Br 110 Km 03, Alagoinhas, Bahia, Brasil

⁴Laboratório de Genética Vegetal (LAGEV), Departamento de Biologia General, Instituto de Biologia, Campus de Ondina, CEP 40210-730, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

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Few studies of natural populations of the red algae Hypnea musciformis have been conducted. To enhance our knowledge, it would be helpful to define methodologies that explore the species’ adaptability to different environments and seasons. Tetrasporophyte is the most frequent reproductive stage in this species. A case study of 2 populations in the Brazilian tropics allowed us to define a fertility index based on the meiotic count of tetrasporangia. Significant differences were found in the production of tetrasporangia among microhabitats and between the dry and rainy seasons. The analysis of this index in red algae may constitute an important tool for understanding the biology and ecology of this algal group.

Key words:  Fertility, Hypnea, tetrasporangia, Brazil