Cylindrocapsa
Genus of algae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cylindrocapsa is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Chlorophyceae.[1] It is commonly found in freshwater habitats.[2]
| Cylindrocapsa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cylindrocapsa involuta | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Sphaeropleales |
| Family: | Cylindrocapsaceae |
| Genus: | Cylindrocapsa Reinsch[1] |
| Type species | |
| Cylindrocapsa involuta Reinsch[1] | |
| Species | |
| |
Virus-like particles have been found in a strain of one species, Cylindrocapsa geminella.[3]
Description
Cylindrocapsa consists of unbranched filaments, often attached to substrates or free-floating in water. Cells are initially uniseriate (that is, in one line), but may later become multi-seriate or irregularly arranged. Individual cells are ovoid to oblong to spherical, and are each surrounded by several concentric layers of a mucilaginous sheath. Cells contain a single chloroplast filling the cell, with a single pyrenoid. The chloroplast may be axial (in the middle of the cell) or parietal (lining the wall of the cell).[2]
Taxonomy
The placement of Cylindrocapsa is unclear. Species differ significantly from each other, both in terms of morphology and ultrastructure.[2] It is therefore suspected to be polyphyletic.[1]
