Reproduction in <i>Eucheuma denticulatum</i> (Burman) Collins and Hervey and <i>Kappaphycus alvarezii</i> (Doty) Doty farmed in Danajon Reef, Philippines

Abstract

Occurrence of reproductive structures in seven forms belonging to two species of carrageenophytes, <i>Eucheuma denticulatum</i> and <i>Kappaphycus alvarezii</i> was determined at a farming site at Danajon Reef, Northern Bohol, Philippines during 1987 and 1988. Reproductive plants of these forms were encountered throughout the study period although not all three structures (asexual or tetrasporic form and sexual male and female forms) were represented in each form. For <i>K. alvarezii</i> forms, taking the ‘browns’ (EAB1 and EAB2) and the ‘greens’ (EAG1 and EAG2) collectively, male and female reproductive structures were found throughout the year but no tetrasporic thalli were encountered. Only male and tetrasporic structures were observed for <i>E. denticulatum</i> (EDB and EDG) while the ‘sacul type’ ( EAG3 ) had both structures present throughout the study period. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference (P < 0.05) in the frequencies of reproductive structures of each form.