Conceptacle

Conceptacle of Fucus
Cystocarp of Amphiplexia hymenocladioides

Conceptacles are specialized cavities of marine and freshwater algae that contain the reproductive organs. They are situated in the receptacle and open by a small ostiole.[1] Conceptacles are present in Corallinaceae,[2] and Hildenbrandiales, as well as the brown Fucales. In the Fucales there is no haploid phase in the reproductive cycle and therefore no alternation of generations.[3] The thallus is a sporophyte.[4] The diploid plants produce male (antheridia) and female (oogonia) gametangia by meiosis. The gametes are released into the surrounding water; after fusion, the zygote settles and begins growth.[5]

Two taxa, the corallines and Hildenbrandiaceae, bear conceptacles, although the striking difference between their formation indicates that the conceptacles are not homologous.[6] Similar structures also exist: cryptostomata are similar to conceptacles but differ having only hairs and are sterile;[5] caecostomata, are found only in Fucus distichus, in these the ostiole becomes blocked during development.[1]

  1. ^ a b Boney, A.D. (1969). A Biology of Marine Algae. Hutchinson Educational Ltd, London
  2. ^ Irvine, L.M. and Chamberlain, Y.M. (1994). Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 1, Part 2B. Natural History Museum, London. ISBN 0-11-310016-7
  3. ^ Fritsch, F.E. (1945). The Structure and Reproduction of the Algae. Vol 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
  4. ^ Smith, G.M. (1938). Cryptogamic Botany. Algae and Fungi. Second edition, Volume 1, McGraw-Hill Bok Company, Inc.
  5. ^ a b Flecher, R.L. (1987). Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 3, Part 1. British Museum (Natural History), London. ISBN 0-565-00992-3
  6. ^ Pueschel, C. M.; Cole, K. M. (1982). "Rhodophycean Pit Plugs: an Ultrastructural Survey with Taxonomic Implications". American Journal of Botany. 69 (5): 703–720. doi:10.2307/2442960. JSTOR 2442960.