The Sea Lettuce Ulva only gets in shape with the right bacteria
The genus Ulva grows as a tube or a ‘lettuce’ flat, sheet-like blade, as shown for these species collected at the Portuguese coast. The interactions between the juvenile algae and bacteria can be studied under controlled conditions in the laboratory (right). Photos and © Thomas Wichard, University Jena
Ulva, a sea lettuce found in all oceans of the world, became ‘Alga of the Year 2015’. This marine green alga either grows in form of ribbons or of blades but only if the right bacteria induce certain developmental programs. How the alga ensures this is described on the Section's website.