Pseudokirchneriella F.Hindák, 1990

Holotype species: Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) F.Hindák

Currently accepted name for the type species: Raphidocelis subcapitata (Korshikov) Nygaard, Komárek, J.Kristiansen & O.M.Skulberg

Original publication and holotype designation: Hindák, F. (1990). Studies on the chlorococcal algae (Chlorophyceae). V. Biologické Práce 36: 1-227.

Description: Thalli colonial with 2-32 to many cells embedded in spherical to oval or irregular colonies in structureless mucilaginous envelope. Cells lunate to fusiform to helically twisted with pointed to rounded ends. Cell walls smooth, without ornamentation. Cells uninucleate; chloroplast single and parietal; pyrenoid absent. Asexual reproduction by autospores, 2-4 per sporangium; released by transverse to longitudinal rupture of parental cell wall. Flagellated stages and sexual reproduction unknown. Pseudokirchneriella planktonic in freshwater in ponds, lakes or pools; reported from Europe and North America. Genus is a composite for species previously assigned to Ankistrodesmus, Kirchneriella, Kirchneria and Raphidocelis. Similar to Kirneriella except for absence of pyrenoid. Genus concept of Hindák includes most of the species ascribed to Kirchneriella by Komárek and Fott (1983). The species Selenastrum capricornutum has been utilized for bioassays of water quality, algicides and environmenal assessment. This species was considered a member of Kirchneriella by Komárek and Fott (1983), however, the absence of pyrenoids suggests that it may be a member of Pseudokirchneriella. Thalli colonial with 2-32 to many cells embedded in spherical to oval or irregular colonies in structureless mucilaginous envelope. Cells lunate to fusiform to helically twisted with pointed to rounded ends. Cell walls smooth, without ornamentation. Cells uninucleate; chloroplast single and parietal; pyrenoid absent. Asexual reproduction by autospores, 2-4 per sporangium; released by transverse to longitudinal rupture of parental cell wall. Flagellated stages and sexual reproduction unknown. Pseudokirchneriella planktonic in freshwater in ponds, lakes or pools; reported from Europe and North America. Genus is a composite for species previously assigned to Ankistrodesmus, Kirchneriella, Kirchneria and Raphidocelis. Similar to Kirneriella except for absence of pyrenoid. Genus concept of Hindák includes most of the species ascribed to Kirchneriella by Komárek and Fott (1983). The species Selenastrum capricornutum has been utilized for bioassays of water quality, algicides and environmenal assessment. This species was considered a member of Kirchneriella by Komárek and Fott (1983), however, the absence of pyrenoids suggests that it may be a member of Pseudokirchneriella.

Information kindly contributed by D. Garbary & F. Hindák but may now be outdated.

Taxonomic status: This name is currently regarded as a synonym of Raphidocelis.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Krienitz, L., Bock, C., Nozaki, H. & Wolf, M. (2011). SSU rRNA gene phylogeny of morphospecies affiliated to the bioassay alga "Selenastrum capricornutum" recoverd the polyphyletic origin of crescent-shaped Chlorophyta. Journal of Phycology 47(4): 880-893, 9 figs, 1 table.

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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=46109

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 27 January 2012. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 16 April 2024