Sorus formation on the holdfast haptera of the kelp Ecklonia radicosa (Phaeophyceae, Laminariales)

Kelps usually form sori on their vegetative blades or sporophylls, and occasionally on stipes, with a notable exception being the primitive kelp Aureophycus aleuticus (Aureophycaceae), which forms sori on its discoid (haptera-free) holdfast. Here we reveal sorus formation on the holdfast (and blade and stipe) of the warm temperate annual kelp Ecklonia radicosa (Lessoniaceae), whose holdfast is formed by haptera, as is typical of the Laminariales. Surprisingly, hapteral sori continued to release zoospores until December, following blade loss in October. Such production of sori on holdfasts may be advantageous for surviving higher water temperatures and grazing pressure in warm temperate waters.