Aegagropila Kützing, 1843
Lectotype species: Aegagropila linnaei Kützing
Currently accepted name for the type species: Aegagropila brownii (Dillwyn) Kützing
Original publication and holotype designation: Kützing, F.T. (1843). Phycologia generalis oder Anatomie, Physiologie und Systemkunde der Tange. Mit 80 farbig gedruckten Tafeln, gezeichnet und gravirt vom Verfasser. pp. [part 1]: [i]-xxxii, [1]-142, [part 2:] 143-458, 1, err.], pls 1-80. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus.
Request PDFPrecise date of publication: 14-16 September
Description: Thalli dark to bright green, forming loose spherical aggregates, unattached solid or hollow balls, or attached stiff tufts, cushions or carpets up to 3 cm high, composed of densely and irregularly branched, uniseriate filaments. Branches formed laterally or subterminally on cells, with vertical or steeply inclined cross walls; older cells often producing a second and third branch, opposite or serial. Intercalary cell divisions dominant in lower parts, feebly acropetal organization in apical parts. Older cells in basal parts of the thallus typically club-shaped, frequently also very irregular and enlarged, with branches inserted in various positions. Apical cells frequently lost in unattached thalli, probably due to abrasion. Complete inversion of polarity common in the lower part of the thallus, with branches growing in opposite direction to that of the terminal filaments; and polarity is frequently lost during later development in the unattached forms. The basal poles of the cells can give off adventitious rhizoids which may wind around or attach to other filaments. In unattached forms, rhizoids may be produced at the base of the cells, attaching themselves by coralloid holdfasts. Numerous polypyramidal pyrenoids.
Information contributed by: Skaloud et al. (2018: 181).. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2023-09-26 by M.D. Guiry.
Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.
Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.
Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Guiry, M.D. & Frödén, P. (2023). Aegagropila brownii (Dillwyn) Kützing is the correct name for Aegagropila linnaei Kützing, the type of Aegagropila Kützing (Pithophoraceae, Chlorophyta), widely known as “Marimo” or “Cladophora Balls”. Notulae Algarum 293: 1-7, 3 figs.
Comments: Differences in growth form and morphology have led to the description of several ball-forming species, but these are part of the large natural variation of the only species of the genus, A. linnaei (Waern, 1952; Sakai & Enomoto, 1960; Hoek, 1963; Niiyama, 1989; Boedeker et al., 2010a).
Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.
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=50801
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 26 September 2023. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 18 April 2024
