Ecology of Aquacultured Green Alga, Monostroma latissimum in Kagoshima, Japan

Abstract

Seasonal growth of an edible green alga, Monostroma latissimum cultured on a net was studied in Kagoshima, Japan.
Zygotes of M. latissimum, which had survived hot summer on gravels in shallow sea bottom, started releasing zoospores when the water temperature decreased less than 25°C in September. The maximum peak of releasing zoospores occured in the middle of October. These zoospores attached and grew actively in the tidal level between 120 to 180 cm. However, the culture net was recommended to be set between 120 to 140 cm tidal level to prevent the growth of other algae, e. g. Enteromorpha spp. Thallus (gametophyte) of M. latissimum on the net started growing in October and reached to be the harvestable size (40-50cm²/frond) by March. Then withering thallus was drifted off from the net in April.