Home / Chrysophyceae / Unicells / Flagellated / Ochromonas
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Name derivation:
Classification:
Paraphysomonas De Saedeleer 1930; 30 of 56 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 20123). Order Chromulinales; Family Paraphysomonadaceae
Morphology:
Unicellular colorless stramenopile biflagellate covered with silicaceous spiny scales visible in a light microscope, sometimes two or three smaller scale types. Cells ovoid to elongate, 6 – 15 μm long. Flagellar insertion in an apical depression. Short flagellum is held laterally, long flagellum (2x – 3x longer than cell) is projected anteriorly and beats at a high frequency propelling cell. Ingests bacteria, diatoms and other small PS protists.
Similar genera:
Habitat:
Freshwater and marine (Throndsen 1996).
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 30 April 2013. Throndsen, J. 1996. The planktonic marine flagellates. In: Identifying marine phytoplankton. (Tomas, C.R. Eds), pp. 591-730. San Diego: Academic Press.