Research Training Program

Carlos Maldonado
University of Puerto Rico
Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico

Jim Norris, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Botany

"This is an experience that most students should have. It helps to determine and decide your future, both academic and personal."

Reproductive structures in Halimeda

This project consisted of mainly literature research. The objective was to compare the reproductive structures of the coralline algae Halimeda that were reported in the literature. It was discovered that this topic hasn't been considered in the systematics of this genus; and that there are many differences between species gametergia and also in the descriptions of some species made by different authors in different localities. This suggests that some taxonomic differences may be found by the analysis of this structure. A table with the comparisons of all descriptions already reported in the literature has been compiled; as well as diagrams of this reproductive structure that have been illustrated in the literature throughout the years.

This research was supported by a grant from the James Smithson Society.