Sargassum

Classification

  • Class: Phaeophyceae
  • Order: Fucales
  • Family: Sargassaceae
  • Genus: Sargassum
    • Sargassum habit diagram
    Sargassum: Habit
    Sargassum anatomy diagram
    Sargassum: anatomy

    General characteristics

    1. The algae are free floating and brown in color.
    2. Commonly found in tropical seas. Sargasso Sea (a region of North Atlantic Ocean) is desnldy inhabited by Sargassum.
    3. In India Sargassum is found along the eastern and western ocean coasts.
    4. The plant body is diploid (2n) and differentiated into root, stem and leaf-like structures.
    5. Main axis bears long shoots of unlimited growth (primary laterals), leaves (secondary laterals), air bladders and receptacles.
    6. Both stem and leaves are differentiated into epidermis, cortex and medulla.
    7. Apical growth takes place by a three-sided apical cell.
    8. Reproduction takes place by vegetative and sexual means. Asexual reproduction is absent.
    9. Sexual reproduction is oogamous.
    10. Oogonia and antheridia are borne in unisexual conceptacles, those remain embedded in receptacles.
    11. Oogonium produces one egg and the antheridium produces 64 biflagellate sperms.
    12. Fertilization is internal, as the egg is not come out from the oogonium.
    13. Zygote germinates directly and produces a new sporophytic (2n) plan.


    Content first created on 23-10-2024
    last updated on 23-10-2024