The release,adhesion and germination of spores of Enteromorpha prolifera and its adaptation to different desiccation conditions

We studied the time limitation of release and adhesion of Enteromorpha prolifera spores and their selec-tivity of different substrates,and the effects of desiccation treatment at different temperatures on the vitality,capac-ity of release,and germination of the spores of this algae.The results showed that after 12 h exposure to the air(20℃,in darkness),Enteromorpha prolifera released spores successively from 1h to 10h after being immerged in seawater again,with the release peak at about 4h;the time limitation of spores settlement was about 1h to 12h,with the settlement peak of spores at about 6h,indicating that the optimal time for spores settlement was about 2h after being released.The slightly rough materials,such as plastic,nylon and fabric,were beneficial to spores settlement.When being exposed in desiccation conditions,the vitality of thalli could be preserved longer at low temperatures(4℃,?4℃) or under freezing conditions(?20℃) than that at 20℃,but its capability of releasing spores maintained at high levels at 20℃(in 3 weeks) and ?20℃(between 3 to 5 weeks).In the desiccation conditions at temperature of 20,4,?4℃,and ?20℃(all in darkness),the settled spores could germinate within 4 d,16 d,8 d,and 16 d,respec-tively.Knowledge of the time limitation of spores release and settlement and the tolerance of the thalli and its spores for different desiccation conditions will further help to study the mechanism of green tide.