The life history of Acrosymphyton purpuriferum (J. Ag.) Sjöst. (Rhodophyceae, Cryptonemiales). Isolation of tetrasporophytes. With some remarks on the tetrasporophyte of Bonnemaisonia asparagoides (Woodw.) C. Ag. (Nemalionales)

The crustose tetrasporophyte of Acrosymphyton purpuriferum was isolated from nature. Growth patterns of germinating carpospores of Acrosymphyton were compared with growth patterns of regenerating fragments of two different types of creeping plants isolated from nature. Carpospores grow into serrate compact crusts, with a distromatic centre and monostromatic margins, and so do regenerating fragments of one type of creeping plants isolated from nature. In short day conditions these compact crusts form tetrahedral tetrasporangia in the uppermost cell layer. Tetraspores grow into Acrosymphyton gametophytes. Fragments of the second type of creeping plants isolated from nature grow into loosely constructed monostromatic crusts which are tetrasporophytes of Bonnemaisonia asparagoides. The life cycle of Bonnemaisonia could be completed in culture starting with these tetrasporophytes.