J. Int. Sci. Technol., 2020, 8(2), 12-20 12 J. Int. Sci. Technol. 2020, 8(2), 12-20 . Article . Journal of Integrated SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Developmental and histochemical studies on carposporophyte of Solieria robusta (Greville) Kylin Solieriaceae, Gigartinales) from Port Okha, India Indu Nashier Gahlawat, 1* Poonam Lakra, 2 Jyoti Singh, 3 Bhupender S. Chhikara 4 1 Department of Biology, 2 Department of Home Science, 4 Department of Chemistry, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, University of Delhi, Bawana Delhi 110039. India. 3 Department of Botany, Hindu Girls College, M.D. University, Sonepat 131001. Haryana. India. Received on: 10-Mar-2020, Accepted and Published on: 12-May-2020 ABSTRACT Solieria robusta shows isomorphic alternation of generation. The female thallus is terete with erect lateral branches that show attenuation at their bases. The thallus is differentiated into cortex and medulla. The female thallus surface shows many scattered cystocarps that appeared as black coloured dots. The development of the cystocarp is acropetal. The thallus surface is raised due to presence of cystocarps with a small circular ostiole in the centre. The complete gelatinization of extracellular mucilage and degeneration of surrounding vegetative cells makes an orifice above the thallus surface for the carpospores release. Mature cystocarp is embedded in the medullary region. A distinct gradient of cytoplasmic polysaccharides is seen from fusion cell to carpospores. The carposporangia and carpospores are replete with floridean starch grains and sulphated polsaccharides. The mature carposporangial cytoplasm is fully packed with floridean starch grains, fibrous vesicles and chloroplasts. Carposporangial wall is three to five layered and is composed of microfibrils. Keywords: Carposporophyte, Carposporangia, Gonimoblast filaments, carpospores, Red Algae, Sea Algae, INTRODUCTION The taxa belonging to the Solieriaceae have been persumed to follow Polysiphonia-type of life-history. Agardhiella subulata normally exhibits isomorphic phases but dwaft male plants commonly develop in situ from tetrasporangia. 1 The Australian genera of Solieriaceae and Rhabdoniaceae possess isomorphic gametophytes and tetrasporophytes. According to West and Hommersand (1981) Turnerella and Opuntiella possess heteromorphic life cycles and probably do not belong to the Solieriaceae. 2 The genus solieria has been included in the family Rhodophyllidaceae. 3 The multiaxial and non-procarpic taxa have been placed in the Solieriaceae whereas uniaxial and non- procarpic genera have been assigned to the Rhabdoniaceae. The solieria come under the family Solieriaceae(Gigartinales) and Solieriaceae is considered as a crucial one in the possible evolution of many specialized group of Gigartinales as it links many other families. 4 Solieria robusta is a dioecious taxon and reveals isomorphic alternation of generation. 5 Solieria robusta from Indian coast is attached to the calcareous rocks by a discoid fibrous holdfast and occur in the rockpools of intertidal region. The female thallus is terete with erect lateral branches that show attenuation at their bases. 6 The female thallus surface shows many scattered *Corresponding Author: Dr. Indu Nashier Gahlawat Associate Professor, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, University of Delhi, Bawana-110039, Delhi, India. Tel: Email: induingahlawat@gmail.com Cite as: J. Int. Sci. Technol., 2020, 8(2), 12-20. ©IS Publications ISSN: 2321-4635 http://pubs.iscience.in/jist Journal of Integrated Science and Technology