Ecdysichlamys G.S. West, 1912

Holotype species: Ecdysichlamys obliqua G.S.West

Description: Cells rarely solitary, usually in mucilaginous, dense aggregations of cells forming crustose layer on substratum. Cells narrowly to broadly ellipsoid, 6-24 x 2-20 µm, slightly asymmetrical with one side swollen, apices rounded or apiculate with one or both ends thickened. Cell walls smooth, relatively thick, indistinctly stratified. Nucleus single and excentric; chloroplasts single, massive and parietal with wavy or lobed margins; pyrenoid single (rarely two), with distinct starch sheath. Asexual reproduction by formation of 2-8 (-16) autospores, released upon rupture and slight dissolution of parental cell wall. Sexual reproduction and flagellated stages unknown. Ecdysichlamys from in temperate to tropical conditions on damp soil or as a periphytic form in freshwater springs; reported from Africa (type species from Angola), Cuba, Europe and Japan, but likely cosmopolitan. E. minuta, isolated from marine environment grew at all salinities tested (1-37 0/00) but had optimal growth at 8-12 0/00. Most species previously assigned to Oocystis. Genus similar to Fotterella Buck from which it differs principally in having autospores closely aggregated rather than distinctly separated, and in having the cell apices thickened into a small papilla. Species distinguished based on cell size and shape, and numbers of autospores.

Information contributed by: G. Dillard & D. Garbary. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2004-09-27 by Robert Wilkes.

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

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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=47417

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
Robert Wilkes in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 27 September 2004. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 20 April 2024