Home / Diatoms / Centric / Unicells / Podosira
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Name derivation:
"Foot chain" -- Foot Podo- chain –seira
Classification:
Podosira Ehrenberg, 1840; 17 of 23 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Melosirales; Family Hyalodiscaceae
Morphology:
Unicells occasionally form chains of two or three cells. Cells spherical to sub-spherical. Approximately 12 irregularly discoid plastids. Benthic, attached by several thick polysaccharide stalks to seaweeds. Valves hemispherical or watch-glass-shaped; no distinct valve mantle. More description online.
Similar genera:
Hyalodiscus
Habitat:
Marine shallow benthos, attached by threads to marine macroalgae.
References:
Ehrenberg, C.G. 1840. Erstlich über ausgezeichnete jetzt lebende peruanische und mexikanische Meeres-Infusorien, welche mit zur Erläuterung räthselhafter fossiler Formen der Kreidebildung dienen. Bericht über die zur Bekanntmachung geeigneten Verhandlungen der Königlich-Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1840: 157-162. Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 September 2013.

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