Current research emphasizes use of DNA localizing fluorochromes and static microspectrophotometry to quantify nuclear DNA contents in seaweeds and seagrasses. Data are combined with molecular studies to postulate nucleotype transformations which have accompanied evolution in these plant groups. Applications include analysis of the relative significance of nucleotype and genotype in phenotypic expression, effect of genome size on choice of reproductive strategy, and analysis of the energetic cost/benefit ratio of maintaining large non-coding genomes. Materials and methods, as well as information for collection locations, and data for number of algal nuclei examined in each sample and estimates of nuclear genome size for Kapraun (2005) are available at http://www.uncw.edu/people/kapraund/DNA.

Kapraun, D. F. 2005. Nuclear DNA content estimates in multicellular green, red and brown algae: phylogenetic considerations. Annals of Botany 95: 7-44.

Kapraun, D. F. and J. C. Bailey. 2003. Post-K/T boundary expansion of polyphyletic geniculate coralline red algae is correlated with multiple polyploidy events. 2nd Plant Genome Size Conference, Kew, London (poster).

Kapraun, D. F. and J. T. Dunwoody. 2002. Relationship of nuclear genome size to some reproductive cell parameters in the florideophycidae (Rhodophyta). Phycologia 41: 507-516.

Kapraun, D. F. and J. R. Buratti. 1998. Evolution of genome size in the Dasycladales (Chlorophyta) as determined by DAPI cytophotometry. Phycologia. 37: 176-183.