In the life cycle the adult, gametangial phase of the plant, produces spermatangia in clusters and carposporophytes which produce carpospores. On release these germinate and develop into the gametangial phase. No tetrasporangial phase is known. (Dixon and Irvine 1977 p. 148)Dixon, P.S. and Irvine, L.M. 1977. Seaweeds of the British Isles. Volume 1. Rhodophyta. Part 1. Introduction, Nemalionales, Gigartinales. British Museum (Natural History), London. However tetraspores released from Rhododiscus pulcherrimus when cultured germinated to form spermitangial and carpogonial branches. The vegetative and reproductive development corresponded closely with that described for Atractophora hypnoides.Maggs, C.A., Guiry, M.D. and Irvine, L.M. 1983. The life history of an isolate of Rhodiscus pulcerimus (Naccariaceae; Rhodophyta) from Ireland.Abstract of papers read at the winter meeting at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. British Phycological Journal. 18: 206
