Biology:Marthea

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Short description: Genus of algae

Marthea
Marthea tetras fig 1-8 combined.JPG
Marthea tetras
Scientific classification edit
(unranked): Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Characiaceae
Genus: Marthea
Pascher, 1918
Species:
M. tetras
Binomial name
Marthea tetras
Pascher, 1918[1]

Marthea is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae, containing the single species Marthea tetras.[1] It is an extremely rare genus; it has only been recorded once,[1] as freshwater phytoplankton from its original locality in the Bohemian Forest region of the Czech Republic.[2]

Marthea tetras consists of cells in colonies of four in a cross shape. Cells are spindle-shaped, with the base attached to a central mass of mucilage, while the apex of the cells are pointed. The cell wall is smooth. Cells contain one nucleus and a single, parietal chloroplast with one pyrenoid.[1]

Marthea reproduces asexually by autospores.[1] Four autospores form from one protoplast. Unusually, the autospores show amoeboid movement for some time, before settling in their usual shape and being released from the sporangium.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2008). "Marthea". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=47396. 
  2. Komárek, J.; Fott, B. (1983) (in de). Chlorophyceae (Grünalgen), Ordnung Chlorococcales. Das Phytoplankton des Süßwassers. E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. p. 1044. 
  3. Philipose, M. T. (1967). Chlorococcales. Monographs on algae. 8. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research. p. 365. 

Wikidata ☰ Q6774653 entry