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PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA

Life History

Life Cycle       Fruiting Patterns       Swarmers       Phototaxis   

Vegetative Reproduction

Vegetative Reproduction

In addition to the two reproductive strategies Ulva have with their gametes and zoospores, some cells may be able to slough off in stressful situations and form new algae.  In the laboratory, blade cells of U. mutabilis resumed totipotency and blade fragments regenerated into adult algae.   It could be advantageous to have some reproduction take place at times other than the big, synchronized release of gametes and spores in case conditions then are not ideal.  But whether this happens outside the laboratory is yet to be seen.