Light Intensity Variation of Kelp Gametophytes, Alaria marginata and Nereocystis luetkeana

Abstract

Nereocystis luetkeana and Alaria marginata were raised from zoospores into young gametophytes under three different light intensities. A. marginata, a species only occurring at shallow depths, was collected at a light level measured at 1505 μmol m^-2•sec^-1. N. luetkeana, a species germinating commonly at a depth of 5-30 m was collected from 8.17 m below the surface with a light level of 2.75 μmol m^-2•sec^-1. The study determined that there was no correlation between light intensity and gametophyte growth, and that there was no difference in gametophyte growth between the two-respective species. A. marginata was found to have a significantly higher proportion of zoospores germinated.