Genetical study on the parthenogenesis in Laminaria japonica

The parthenogenesis and natural doubling of chromosomes in wild type female gametophytes of Laminaria japonica were studied. The results indicate that not all the female gametophytes from the wild type hybrid parent can propagate through parthenogenesis. Most parthenosporophytes can mature, their spores germinate into gametophytes, the latter then developed into female sporophytes. To form these parthenosporophytes the natural doubling of chromosomes occurred mainly at the first and second cell divisions of the spores. It is thus considered that the parthenogenesis of L. japonica is inheritable and the relative genes link closely with the genes controlling the natural doubling of chromosomes and the female determination.