Selenastrum

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Selenastrum
Medeiros et al 2021 Ankistrodesmus bibraianus.jpg
Selenastrum bibraianum
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
(unranked): Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Selenastraceae
Genus: Selenastrum
Reinsch
Type species
Selenastrum bibraianum
Reinsch, 1866
Species [1]

Selenastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. [2] It is common in freshwater habitats around the world. [3] Most species prefer temperate or warm-temperate waters. [1]

Contents

The genus was circumscribed by the German phycologist Paul Friedrich Reinsch in 1866. [1] The name Selenastrum comes from the Greek roots selene, meaning "moon", and astron, meaning "star". [4]

Description

Selenastrum forms colonies of cells, numbering four, eight, 16, or 32. Cells are strongly curved and crescent-shaped, with pointed ends; the cells are attached to each other on their convex sides. Each cell contains a single parietal chloroplast. [3]

Like other members of the family, Selenastrum reproduces asexually, by forming autospores. [5] Zoospores and sexual reproduction have not been observed in this genus. [1]

Taxonomy

Selenastrum has had an unstable taxonomic history. [6] Selenastrum is distinguished from the similar and related genus Ankistrodesmus by the curvature of the cells; Selenastrum has more strongly curved cells. However, the distinction between the two genera is artificial, as shown by molecular phylogenetic data. [7] In 2016, the genera Messastrum and Curvastrum were created, differing from Selenastrum mainly in their 18S rDNA and rbcL gene sequences. Curvastrum additionally differs from Selenastrum in its colony size, forming solitary cells or colonies of up to four cells. Both genera are monotypic, containing the species Messastrum gracile (formerly Selenastrum gracile) and Curvastrum pantanale, respectively. [8]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trebouxiophyceae</span> Class of algae

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Neochloridaceae</span> Family of algae

Neochloridaceae is a family of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selenastraceae</span> Family of algae

Selenastraceae is a family of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales. Members of this family are common components of the phytoplankton in freshwater habitats worldwide. A few species have been found in brackish and marine habitats, such as in the Baltic Sea.

<i>Ankistrodesmus</i> Genus of algae

Ankistrodesmus is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is one of the most common types of phytoplankton in freshwater habitats around the world.

<i>Dictyosphaerium</i> Genus of algae

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<i>Golenkinia</i> Genus of algae

Golenkinia is a genus of green algae first described in 1894 by Robert Chodat. The genus is named for the Russian phycologist Mikhail Iljitsch Golenkin. Golenkinia species live in fresh water and are found around the world.

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<i>Monactinus</i> Genus of algae

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<i>Parapediastrum</i> Genus of algae

Parapediastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is fairly common in freshwater regions throughout the world.

Podohedriella is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is found in freshwater habitats or on damp wood.

Pseudomuriella is a genus of green algae, specifically of the class Chlorophyceae. It is the sole genus of the family Pseudomuriellaceae. It is a terrestrial alga that inhabits soils.

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Pseudopediastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is very common in freshwater regions throughout the world.

Raphidocelis is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. They are found in freshwater habitats.

<i>Stauridium</i> Genus of algae

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Chlorolobion, sometimes spelled Chlorolobium, is a genus of algae belonging to the family Selenastraceae. The species of this genus are found in freshwater habitats in Europe and America.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. " Selenastrum ". AlgaeBase . World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
  2. See the NCBI webpage on Selenastrum. Data extracted from the "NCBI taxonomy resources". National Center for Biotechnology Information . Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  3. 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.
  4. Shayler, Hannah; Siver, Peter A. (2004). "Selenastrum". Carolina Lucid Key to Freshwater Algae. Connecticut College. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  5. Fawley, Marvin W.; Dean, Michelle L.; Dimmer, Stephanie K.; Fawley, Karen P. (2006). "Evaluating the Morphospecies Concept in the Selenastraceae (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta)". Journal of Phycology. 42: 142–154. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.2006.00169.x. S2CID   53318143.
  6. Bicudo, Carlos E. M.; Menezes, Mariângela (2006). Gêneros de Algas de Águas Continentais do Brasil: chave para identificação e descrições (2 ed.). RiMa Editora. p. 508. ISBN   857656064X.
  7. Krienitz, Lothar; Ustinova, Iana; Friedl, Thomas; Huss, Volker A. R. (2001). "Traditional generic concepts versus 18S rRNA gene phylogeny in the green algal family Selenastraceae (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta)". Journal of Phycology. 37 (5): 852–865. doi: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2001.01004.x . S2CID   84625065.
  8. Garcia Da Silva, Thaís; Bock, Christina; Sant'Anna, Célia Leite; Bagatini, Inessa Lacativa; Wodniok, Sabina; Vieira, Armando Augusto Henriques (2017). "Selenastraceae (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyceae): rbcL, 18S rDNA and ITS-2 secondary structure enlightens traditional taxonomy, with description of two new genera, Messastrum gen. nov. and Curvastrum gen. nov". Fottea. 17: 1–19. doi: 10.5507/fot.2016.010 .