Reproduction in Seaweeds

Lower species of seaweed reproduce quite simply asexually.  However the higher species are much more complex and have some of the most sophisticated sexual behaviour in life.

Some of the more advanced species produce motile zoospores that swim off and attach themselves to an anchorage point and grow into a new individual.

 Others produce male and female zoospores, which then form separate gametophytes.   The eggs fuse with sperm cells to form a zygote. developing a new sporophyte.

In a few species there is an alternating sexual and asexual reproductive process with every generation. 

Seaweeds can also grow fresh individuals from broken fragments.

Some red seaweeds have a life span of 6 - 10 years, ie Furcellaria lumbricalis