carpospore

A spore formed following division of the zygote in red algae. It may be haploid if formed following mei-osis as, for example, in Porphyra. On germination it then gives rise to a haploid gametophyte or occasionally a short-lived juvenile form termed the Chantransia stage. The carpospores of the more advanced red algae, e.g. Polysiphonia, are diploid and give rise to a diploid plant similar in form to the haploid generation.