Synurid

The synurids (Synurales) are a small group of heterokont algae, found mostly in fresh water.

Synurids
A colony of Synura sp.
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
(unranked):
SAR
Superphylum:
Heterokonta
Phylum:
Ochrophyta
Class:
Synurophyceae

Andersen, 1987
Order:
Synurales

Andersen, 1987
Families
  • Mallomonadaceae
  • Neotessellaceae
  • Phalansteriaceae
  • Synuraceae

Characteristics
A single cell of the freshwater algae species Synura petersenii, false color image created using SEM

They are covered in silicate scales and spines. In Synura, these are formed on the surface of the chloroplasts,[1] two of which are usually present, but sometimes only one divided into two lobes is seen. The cells have two heterokont flagella, inserted parallel to one another at the anterior, whose ultrastructure is a distinguishing characteristic of the group. Both asexual and isogamous sexual reproduction occur.

Genera

Two major genera are included here, divided into species mainly based on the structure of the scales.

  • Mallomonas species are free-living individual cells, usually 50-100 μm in length. They have ornate scales and generally long spines.
  • Synura species occur as spherical colonies, with the cells oriented so that the flagella point outwards, each usually around 30 μm in length. The colonies are globular, rather than hollow, and spines are short if at all present.

Both are common plankton in lakes and ponds.

To reproduce the parent cell splits into two daughter cells which get half of the parent cells scales. The new cells can regrow the scales and grow back into their original form.

History

The genus Synura was proposed in 1834 by the German microscopist Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg (1795–1876).[2]

The synurids were originally included among the golden algae in the order Ochromonadales as the family Mallomonadaceae. They were formally defined as a separate group by Andersen in 1987, who placed them in their own class Synurophyceae, based on an earlier suggestion by Cavalier-Smith.

The Chrysophyceae and Synurophyceae are part of a common clade.[3][4]

References
  1. Barry S.C. Leadbeater (1990), "Ultrastructure and assembly of the scale case in Synura (Synurophyceae Andersen)", British Phycological Journal, 25 (2): 117–132, doi:10.1080/00071619000650111
  2. See:
    • Ehrenberg (1833). "Dritter Beitrag zur Erkenntniss grosser Organisation in der Richtung des kleinsten Raumes" [Third contribution to [our] knowledge of greater organization in the direction of the smallest realm]. Abhandlungen der Königlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin [Treatises of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Berlin] (in German): 145–336. From p. 281: Ehrenberg created a new family, Volvocina, " … wozu ich die vier neuen Gattungen Chlamidomonas, Syncrypta, Synura, und Uroglena stelle." ( … into which I place the four new genera Chlamidomonas, Syncrypta, Synura, and Uroglena.) [Note: According to p. 145, Ehrenberg's paper was first presented in 1832, revised somewhat, and published in 1834.]
    • See also: AlgaeBase: Synura Ehrenberg, 1834
  3. Grant J, Tekle YI, Anderson OR, Patterson DJ, Katz LA (March 2009). "Multigene Evidence for the Placement of a Heterotrophic Amoeboid Lineage Leukarachnion sp. among Photosynthetic Stramenopiles". Protist. 160 (3): 376–85. doi:10.1016/j.protis.2009.01.001. PMID 19282238.
  4. W. Vyverman, G. Cronberg (March 1993). "Scale bearing chrysophytes from Papua New Guinea". Nordic Journal of Botany. 13 (1): 111–20. doi:10.1111/j.1756-1051.1993.tb00022.x.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)


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