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Name derivation:
Classification:
Aegagropila linnaei Kützing 1843; two of 55 species descriptions are currently recognized taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2014). Molecular studies of the Aegagropila clade are available (Boedeker et al. 2012)
Morphology:
Green sparsely-branched trichome found on the dorsal carapace of aquatic turtles. Any branches are mainly near the basal cell, itself attached to the turtle shell by a "holdfast" of cells and a cement. Cells in the upright trichomes become wider and shorter toward the apex. Also forms drifting sphaerical colonies known regionally as 'Cladophora balls' or 'moss balls’, often 1 – 2 cm diameter, presumably forming by the continual rolling of colonies as they grow unattached in benthic habitats. Dependent on wind, the colonies may accumulate in great numbers on leeward shores, as in the Loch of Harray, Scotland (Scanlan 2014).
Similar genera:
Habitat:
Freshwater. Either attached to the shells of turtles and some snails; occasionally other hard substrates, or freely moving and forming ‘balls’ that accumulate as wind-induced water currents dictate.
References:
Boedeker, C., C.J. O'Kelly, W. Star, and F. Leliaert 2012. Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of the Aegagropila clade (Cladophorales, Ulvophyceae), including the description of Aegagropilopsis gen. nov. and Pseudocladophora gen. nov. Journal of Phycology 48(3): 808-825. Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2014. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 02 September 2014. 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] Scanlan, C. 2014. An Aegagropila linnaei wreck at the Loch of Harray, Orkney. [Online]