Ecological Studies of Floridian Eucheuma (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales): IV. Seasonal Biochemical Variations and Reproduction

Plants of Eucheuma nudum were collected from the east coast of Florida on a 1.5-m deep worm reef which was subjected to high wave action, and from the west coast of Florida at 10- and 30-m deep sites. Five individual plants of each reproductive phase were analyzed from collections made at least once every 3 months. Seasonal changes in plant biochemistry were found to be related to the reproductive stage of the plant and not to distinctive populations.