Study on monospore-like cells fromPorphyra haitanensis

Porphyra haitanensisandP. yezoensisare two mainPorphyraspecies cultured in China. Their life histories are slightly different. So far we have not observed thatP. haitanensisnaturally produces monospores developing into thalli.P. yezoensisproduces monospores which directly germinate into young thalli used in cultivation (Zeng, et al., 1985). Some somatic cells inP. yezoensisdevelop in vitro into monospore-like cells which later grow into young thalli (Lu, 1983). Studies on whether or not somatic cells inP. haitanensiscan produce in vitro monospore-like cells that later grow into young thalli is important for understanding its life history and for culturing new varieties.