Unusual morphologies raise questions about the evolution of branching in kelps (Laminariales).

ABSTRACT: Branching stipe morphologies have evolved multiple times across the kelp (Laminariales) lineage, creating morphological forms that drive the complexity of kelp forest habitats. Although branching is likely a complicated developmental process, it has evolved repeatedly through kelp evolution and the processes facilitating the emergence of branched forms from unbranched ancestors remain unclear. Here I report on abnormally branched individuals (n = 9) from five kelp species found in British Columbia, Canada that had atypical bifurcations in their stipes, creating a single dichotomous branch. One of these species generally lacks branching entirely (Laminaria ephemera) while the other four exhibit some branching but typically lack this stipe bifurcation (Alaria marginata,

SUBMITTER: Starko S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11310088 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature