Use of Cystoseira and Sargassum embryonic sporophytes for testing toxicity effects

Abstract

Laminarian gametophytes and early sporophytes have been used extensively in studies of growth rates, nutritional requirements, responses to sedimentation, light and temperature, and for toxicity testing (Hsiao & Druehl, 1973; Lüning & Neushul, 1978; Devinny & Volse, 1978; Lüning, 1980; Kuwabara & North, 1980; TERA Corp., 1982; Deysher & Dean, 1984; James et al., 1987). The fucalean egg has been used for cellular and developmental studies and Deysher (1984) used shed embryos of Sargassum muticum to assess environmental requirements of this species. Nonetheless, compared to Laminariales, microscopic phases in the life cycles of subtidal Fucales have seen relatively little use for assessing environmental quality as well as requirements for survival and growth. We report herein on possibilities for utilizing embryonic plants of two fucalean genera, Sargassum and Cystoseira, for toxicological studies. There is also good potential for using these embryos for investigating other physiological factors and relationships.