Home / Charophyceae / Desmids / Unicells/ Placoderm / Pleurotaenium
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Name derivation:
Shaped like a ribbon.
Classification:
Pleurotaenium Nägeli 1849; 57 of 168 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Desmidiales; Family Desmidiaceae
Morphology:
Cylindrical placoderm, blunt ends, unicell. LaterAl walls in various species are either flat or nodular.
Similar genera:
Several genera of cylindrical placoderm desmids can be confusing until somewhat minor variations in wall shapes and decor are scrutinized. The most common include Docidium, Gonatozygon, Penium, Pleurotaenium, Roya and Triploceras.
Habitat:
Slightly acidic freshwater habitats.
References:
Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 May 2013. Nägeli, C. 1849. Gattungen einzelliger Algen, physiologisch und systematisch bearbeitet. Neue Denkschriften der Allg. Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften 10(7): i-viii, 1-139, pls I-VIII.