Tetradesmus G.M.Smith, 1913

Holotype species: Tetradesmus wisconsinensis G.M.Smith

Original publication and holotype designation: Smith, G.M. (1913). Tetradesmus, a new four-celled coenobic alga. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 40: 75-87, 1 pl.

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Description: Thalli colonial, forming 4-celled coenobia not embedded in mucilaginous envelope. Cells fusiform to spherical in surface view with small space between cells. Cells 8-32 x 3-13.5 µm, elongated perpendicular to coenobial surface with 4 cells parallel and attached along lateral walls to two others. In side view, cells lunate to bent-cylindrical with pointed to blunt ends curving away from coenobium. Cell walls smooth. Cells uninucleate; chloroplasts single and parietal with single pyrenoid. Asexual reproduction by autospores; 2 or mostly 4 per sporangium and organized into coenobia. Daughter colonies released by longitudinal splitting of parental cell wall. Flagellated stages and sexual reproduction unknown.

Information contributed by: D. Garbary. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2016-02-02 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Wynne, M.J. & Hallan, J.K. (2016 '2015'). Reinstatement of Tetradesmus G. M. Smith (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyta). Feddes Repertorium 126: 83-86.

Comments: Tetradesmus is planktonic in freshwater; most taxa reported from either Europe or North America, one form of T. wisconsinensis is also known from Asia and Africa.

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=43475

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 02 February 2016. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 18 April 2024