Home / Charophyceae / Desmids / Unicells / Saccoderm / Spirotaenia
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Name derivation:
Classification:
Spirotaenia Brébisson 1848; 20 of 43 species descriptions are currently accepte taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Zygnematales; Family Mesotaeniaceae
Morphology:
Unicellular desmid with isthmus and two opposing spines on each hemicell. Solid cellulose spines contain no cytoplasm.
Similar genera:
Staurastrum is similar, but has two or more "arms" (with cytoplasm extending to the terminus of each arm) instead of spines.
Habitat:
Freshwater lakes, both planktonic, aufwuchs, and benthic.
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. Ralfs, J. 1848. The British Desmidieae. pp. [i]-xxii, [i], [1]-226, pls I-XXXV. London: Reeve, Benham and Reeve.