`Home / Charophyceae / Conjugate_Non-Desmids / Zygnema
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Name derivation:
Classification:
Zygnema C. Agardh 1817; 181 of 443 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Zygnematales Family Zygnemataceae Zygnemopsis (Skuja) Transeau 1934 is indistinguishable morphologically from Zygnema, so is not posted separately in PhycoKey. Similarly, Zygogonium Kützing 1843 may not be distinguishable morphologically from Zygnema, is likely a synonym, and is not posted separately in PhycoKey.
Morphology:
Uniseriate unbranched trichomes. Each cell has two stellate chloroplasts.
Similar genera:
Two related non-desmid conjugating characeans are Spirogyra that has helical chloroplasts, and Mougeotia with flat rectangular chloroplasts.
Habitat:
Freshwater shallow benthos, often forming ‘clouds’ that rest on sediments.
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 06 August 2013. Kützing, F.T. 1843. Phycologia generalis oder Anatomie, Physiologie und Systemkunde der Tange... Mit 80 farbig gedruckten Tafeln, gezeichnet und gravirt vom Verfasser. pp. [part 1]: [i]-xxxii, [1]-142, [part 2:] 143-458, 1, err.], pls 1-80. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus. Transeau, E.N. 1934. [Unknown title]. Science Reports of National Tsing Hua University, Series B, Biological and Psychological Sciences 2:74?.