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Gamete discharge by Bryopsis plumosa (Codiales, Chlorophyta) induced by blue and UV‐A light
Author(s) -
Mine Ichiro,
Okuda Kazuo,
Tatewaki Masakazu
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
phycological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.438
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1835
pISSN - 1322-0829
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1835.1996.tb00048.x
Subject(s) - gamete , biology , cryptochrome , botany , action spectrum , chlorophyta , vacuole , biophysics , algae , microbiology and biotechnology , sperm , cytoplasm , genetics , circadian clock , gene
SUMMARY Gamete discharge by the coenocytic green alga Bryopsis plumosa (Hudson) C. Agardh is induced by light. The mature male gametangia consist of a mass of quiescent male gametes and a large central vacuole. Within a few minutes after the onset of irradiation, breakdown of the tonoplast of the central vacuole and initiation of gamete motility occur simultaneously. This is followed by a forced discharge of moving gametes through a hole ruptured at the subapical region of the gametangium. The action spectrum for the light‐induced gamete discharge was determined from a series of fluence‐response curves. This action spectrum, having two major maxima at 370 and 450 nm, indicates the involvement of a blue light/UV‐A‐absorbing photoreceptor previously described as ‘cryptochrome’.