Monserrat López-Yllescas1 y Daniel Robledo Ramírez1.
1Applied Phycology Laboratory, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (Cinvestav-Unidad Mérida), Carretera Antigua a Progreso Km. 6, 97310 Mérida, Yucatán, México.
Importance of Eucheuma isiforme (Eucheumatopsis isiformis (C. Agardh) Núñez-Resendiz, Dreckmann & Sentíes, 2019) in Yucatan region is related to characteristics of carrageenan that it contains, this is a kappa-iota-nu hybrid structure with a dominant iota-carrageenan and high yield, which makes it one of native species of the region with potential for cultivation. Morphological characteristics of E. isiforme cystocarps are described from samples collected in field every two months from March 2022 to January 2023. Samples were collected in Dzilam de Bravo and Ria Lagartos and transported to the laboratory for review, characterization, and analysis. Cross-sectional and longitudinal sections were made and characteristics of each specimen in carposporophyte phase were described. From temporal variation it was possible to identify mature cystocarps and observe evidence of sporulation. Maturation seems to be related in the study area mainly to monthly seawater temperature, as well as changes in carrageenan content as a response to sulfation processes. The next step of this research is to use this information to plan in vitro sporulation experiments, this would contribute to the knowledge in the cultivation of E. isiforme from carpospores. However, research on the genetic information contained in the latter is necessary to know the quality of the cultivated genome in the long term.