Desmatractum
| Desmatractum | |
|---|---|
| |
| Desmatractum bipyramidatum | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Clade: | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Chlamydomonadales |
| Family: | incertae sedis |
| Genus: | Desmatractum West & G.S.West, 1902[1] |
| Type species | |
| Desmatractum plicatum West & G.S.West[1]
| |
| Species[1] | |
| |
| Synonyms[2][3] | |
|
Bernardinella Choda, 1925 | |
Desmatractum is a genus of green algae, in the order Chlamydomonadales.[1] It is found in freshwater habitats such as ponds, ditches, and bogs as plankton or metaphyton.[4] The genus is cosmopolitan, but some species are very rare.[1]
Description
[edit]Desmatractum is microscopic and consists of single cells. The cells are spherical or ellipsoidal, and are surrounded by a cell envelope that tapers at both ends, making the form overall spindle-shaped. The envelope has 4 to 20 longitudinal ridges, and may be constricted at the equator. The chloroplast is parietally located and contains one or two pyrenoid.[4][1]
Species are distinguished from each other by the overall shape and size of the cells, as well as the degree of longitudinal ribbing of the cell envelopes.[1] Species that appear similar in the light microscope have very different ultrastructures, and this may be a sign that taxonomic revision is necessary.[1]
Reproduction occurs asexually, where the protoplast divides into four zoospores which are then released through a tear in the cell envelope. Zoospores are oval or elongate, with a single chloroplast and eyespot, as well as two identical anterior flagella. Sexual reproduction has not been observed in Desmatractum.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Desmatractum". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
- ^ P. Chodat. Algue de la région du Grand St Bernard. Bulletin de la Société botanique de Genève, 1918, Bernardinella page 300 : read on line
- ^ Peniococcus Woloszynska, 1914-AlgaeBase : read on line
- ^ a b Shubert, Elliot; Gärtner, Georg (2014). "Chapter 7. Nonmotile Coccoid and Colonial Green Algae". In Wehr, John D.; Sheath, Robert G.; Kociolek, J. Patrick (eds.). Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification (2 ed.). Elsevier Inc. ISBN 978-0-12-385876-4.
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