Micrasterias C.Agardh ex Ralfs, 1848
Lectotype species: Micrasterias furcata C.Agardh ex Ralfs
Original publication: Ralfs, J. (1848). The British Desmidieae The drawings by Edward Jenner, A.L.S. pp. [i]-xxii, [i], [1]-226, 35 pls. London: Reeve, Benham & Reeve, King William Street, Strand.
Type designated in: Bicudo, C.E.M. & Sormus, L. (1977). Typification of the generic desmid name Micrasterias Desmidiaceae. Taxon 26(2-3): 322-323.
Description: Cells are small to large, usually solitary (M. foliacea is filamentous), with a very deep median constriction (isthmus). Other shallow or deep incisions usually divide each semicell into apical lobe and two lateral lobes, which could be further subdivided. Semicells of M. ralfsii and M. dickiei are undivided. Cells are usually flattened and disc-shaped (M. dickiei has elliptic, triradiate cells). Some species have small or large protuberances, processes, or spines. There is usually one chloroplast per semicell, containing few to numerous pyrenoids. The nucleus is localized in the isthmus.
Information contributed by: emend. Skaloud, Nemjova, Vesela, Cerna et Neustupa (2011). The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2022-02-02 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: Skaloud, P., Nemjová, K., Veselá, J., Cerná K. & Neustupa, J. (2011). A multilocus phylogeny of the desmid genus Micrasterias (Streptophyta): evidence for the accelerated rate of morphological evolution in protists. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 61: 933-943.
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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera,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=43536
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 02 February 2022. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 11 December 2024