Ulothrix
Last updated
T.Voekler · via Wikipedia: Ulothrix · CC BY-SA 3.0
Ulothrix is a genus of green algae in the family Ulotrichaceae, common in fresh to marine habitats, particularly colder and temperate waters, with a cosmopolitan distribution. It consists of unbranched, uniseriate filaments attached to substrates via a basal cell, and is notable for its role in intertidal and freshwater environments.
Scientific classification
- CladeEukaryota
- CladeArchaeplastida
- CladeViridiplantae
- ClassUlvophyceae
- OrderUlotrichales
- FamilyUlotrichaceae
- GenusUlothrix
Named by Kützing (orth. var. Kuetzing)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Ulothrix (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Type species
- Ulothrix tenuissima
Facts from the source article.
Background
Ulothrix cells are arranged end-to-end to form unbranched, uniseriate filaments, attached to a substrate via a basal cell that may be rhizoidal. Cells are cylindrical or barrel-shaped, with a single girdle-like parietal chloroplast containing one pyrenoid surrounded by a starch envelope.
The cell wall is thin and smooth in young cells but becomes thick and sometimes roughened with age. Species are identified based on presence or absence of mucilage, cell dimensions, cell wall characteristics, and akinete features, though the taxonomy of the genus is rather poorly known. A similar genus is Pearsoniella, which differs in having completely closed chloroplasts and sometimes multiseriate filaments.
Did You Know?
- Ulothrix zoospores have four flagella and are positively phototactic.
- Gametes are biflagellate, spindle-shaped, and positively phototactic.
- The zygote forms a unicellular Codiolum-stage sporophyte.
More in Marine Green Macroalgae
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Ulothrix (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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