Brown algae are heterokonts, a group that also includes diatoms and oomycetes. Despite their simple filamentous thalli, the Ectocarpales are part of the crown group of brown algal orders and are a sister group to the order … See more

Studies on morphology have been limited for Ectocarpus as only two species in the genera (E. siliculosus and E. fasciculatus) are well-described based on morphology and genetic sequence. See more

Ectocarpus can be found across the globe, in temperate shorelines growing as epiphytes on other flora (e.g. seagrass, other alga) or on rocky substrates (epilithic). While commonly attached to a substrate, thalli of Ectocarpus may also survive while … See more

Ectocarpus thalli tend to shelter several marine invertebrates (e.g. crustaceans and nematodes) and some protists. Temperature affects the life cycle of some strains. A study of the life cycles of natural populations in NW France and SW Italy found marked … See more

In the laboratory, the life history is an isomorphic to slightly heteromorphic alternation of generations, but asexual strains also exist. Ectocarpus has a haploid-diploid life cycle with both sporophyte and gametophyte generations. It can complete its … See more

A protocol has been established to culture Ectocarpus in the laboratory. Ectocarpus is able to grow in artificial seawater although the standard medium is Provasoli-enriched seawater (PES). Standard laboratory conditions are growth at 13 degrees … See more

Iodide originating from seawater can accumulate to high concentrations in several brown algae but high levels are not observed in Ectocarpus. Genes predicted to encode enzymes involved in iodine metabolism have been identified in Ectocarpus, … See more