Developing a cryopreservation protocol for the forest-forming seaweed Phyllospora comosa as a tool for restoration

Global declines in seaweed forests are reducing genetic diversity and, consequently, the resilience of these habitats to changing environmental conditions. To conserve genetic diversity and secure these important coastal habitats, new preservation strategies are needed, such as cryopreservation. We aimed to develop a cryopreservation protocol for sperm and germlings of the fucoid seaweed Phyllospora comosa, a species highly vulnerable to anthropogenic stressors. We tested the cytotoxicity of cryoprotectant agents commonly used in seaweed cryopreservation (dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene glycol, glycerol, methanol and propylene glycol).
We conducted seven experiments that are related to individual datasets. All data were collected from these experiments. All datasets were analysed utilising the same R code and details can be found in the README file.