Desmatractum

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Desmatractum
Desmatractum bipyramidatum as Bernardinella bipyramidata.jpg
Desmatractum bipyramidatum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
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
Peniococcus Wołoszyńska, 1914

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

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]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Desmatractum". AlgaeBase . World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  2. P. Chodat. Algue de la région du Grand St Bernard. Bulletin de la Société botanique de Genève, 1918, Bernardinella page 300 : read on line
  3. Peniococcus Woloszynska, 1914-AlgaeBase : read on line
  4. 1 2 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.