ABSTRACT
Many cultivars or cultivated strains are listed for the cultured stocks of these laver (Miura 1984, Miura and Aruga 1987). However, since the morphological characteristics of laver are very changable with growing conditions such as temperature, salinity, nutrient salt levels, ebb and flow and tidal current, it is difficult to identify and distinguish cultivars of laver on the basis of morphological characteristics only. Therefore, biochemical means are needed for correct identification of the cultivars. Molecular markers are expected to provide the best means for identification of laver cultivars.
