Sorastrum | |
---|---|
Sorastrum spinulosum | |
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Chlorophyceae |
Order: | Sphaeropleales |
Family: | Hydrodictyaceae |
Genus: |
Sorastrum Kützing |
Species | |
Sorastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. [1] It is a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and ditches. Sorastrum is common in tropical to temperate regions of the world, [2] but due to its small size it is often overlooked. [3]
Sorastrum forms spherical colonies of 8 to 128 cells. [4] Individual cells are kidney-shaped, pear-shaped, or wedge-shaped, or spherical (in Sorastrum sphericum) [3] and attached to a central body of mucilage via gelatinous strands. On each cell there are two to four outwardly pointing spines. Each cell contains a single chloroplast with a one pyrenoid. [5]
Identification of species depends on the size and shape of the cells, particularly the spines. [2]
Reproduction occurs asexually, by zoospores. Zoospores have two flagella each and are formed by the repeated division of the protoplast. Once divided, the zoospores are released from a tear in the mother cell wall. Sexual reproduction has not been observed in Sorastrum, but is presumed to be similar to that of Hydrodictyon and Pediastrum. [2]
Sorastrum | |
---|---|
Sorastrum spinulosum | |
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Chlorophyceae |
Order: | Sphaeropleales |
Family: | Hydrodictyaceae |
Genus: |
Sorastrum Kützing |
Species | |
Sorastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. [1] It is a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and ditches. Sorastrum is common in tropical to temperate regions of the world, [2] but due to its small size it is often overlooked. [3]
Sorastrum forms spherical colonies of 8 to 128 cells. [4] Individual cells are kidney-shaped, pear-shaped, or wedge-shaped, or spherical (in Sorastrum sphericum) [3] and attached to a central body of mucilage via gelatinous strands. On each cell there are two to four outwardly pointing spines. Each cell contains a single chloroplast with a one pyrenoid. [5]
Identification of species depends on the size and shape of the cells, particularly the spines. [2]
Reproduction occurs asexually, by zoospores. Zoospores have two flagella each and are formed by the repeated division of the protoplast. Once divided, the zoospores are released from a tear in the mother cell wall. Sexual reproduction has not been observed in Sorastrum, but is presumed to be similar to that of Hydrodictyon and Pediastrum. [2]