Staurastrum
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Staurastrum paradoxum |
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Staurastrum | ||||||||||||
| ( Meyen ) Ralfs |
Staurastrum is a genus of algae from the group of ornamental algae (Desmidiales), which includes around 1200 species. This makes it one of the most species-rich genus of algae.
features
They are unicellular, uncultivated algae. The cells are divided into two similar half-cells by a constriction (sinus). The sinus is usually wide open or is a shallow constriction. The shape of the half-cells is very different depending on the species. It can be almost circular, triangular, square or polygonal . The cell wall can be provided with warts, bumps or spines and is often punctured. At the corners of the half-cells there are often radial extensions so that the cells appear star-shaped. There are two to four spines on each extension. In each half-cell there is an axial chloroplast that extends into each cell extension. There is usually one pyrenoid per chloroplast , rarely more.
Asexual reproduction takes place in the form typical of ornamental algae. Sexual reproduction occurs through the conjugation of two cells. The zygote is spherical, ovoid, or polyhedral and is associated with the empty cells. The wall of the zygote is smooth or covered with long forked spines.
The size of the cells ranges from 17 to 80 µm.
distribution
The genus, like many species, is cosmopolitan . Staurastrum lives benthically or freely swimming in all types of water.
Systematics
Some species that are also represented in Central Europe are:
- Staurastrum aculeatum
- Staurastrum dickiei
- Staurastrum erasum
- Staurastrum glaber
- Staurastrum gracile
- Staurastrum pingue
- Staurastrum polymorphum
- Staurastrum punctulatum
- Staurastrum scabrum
- Staurastrum spongiosum
- Staurastrum teliferum
- Staurastrum tetracerum
supporting documents
- Karl-Heinz Linne von Berg, Michael Melkonian u. a .: The Kosmos algae guide. The most important freshwater algae under the microscope. Kosmos, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-440-09719-6 , p. 124.
Individual evidence
- ↑ algaebase , accessed on August 18, 2008.
- ↑ Heinz Streble , Dieter Krauter : Life in the water drop. Microflora and microfauna of freshwater. An identification book. 10th edition. Kosmos, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 3-440-10807-4 , pp. 208, 210, 214.
