An ulvophycean marine green alga produces large parthenogenetic isogametes as predicted by the gamete dynamics model for the evolution of anisogamy.

Abstract

In eukaryotes, gamete size difference between the two sexes (anisogamy) evolved from gametes of equal size in both mating types (isogamy). The gamete dynamics (GD) model for anisogamy evolution combines gamete limitation and competition and predicts that if gametes of both mating types can develop parthenogenetically (i.e. without fusing with the opposite mating type), large isogamy can evolve under gamete-limited conditions. Ulvophycean marine green algae that have been claimed to exhibit various gametic systems from isogamy to anisogamy are important models for testing such theories. However, in most previous papers, whether a species is isogamous or anisogamous has not been examined statistically. Caution is necessary regarding claims of slight anisogamy because of gamete size variation. We reveal (i) that the gametic system of Struvea okamurae is large isogamy using a generalized linear mixed model, which accounted for the variation of gamete size among individual gametophytes, and (ii) that gametes of this alga can actually develop parthenogenetically, contrary to a previous report. Its habitat environments and protracted duration of gamete release suggest that this alga might experience gamete-limited conditions. Struvea okamurae seems to produce large parthenogenetic isogametes following GD model predictions, as an adaptation to deep waters.