Haematococcus Flotow, 1844, nom. et typ. cons.
Lectotype species: Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow
Original publication and holotype designation: Flotow, J. von (1844). Beobachtungen über Haematococcus pluvialis. Verhandlungen der Kaiserlichen Leopoldinisch-Carolinischen Deutschen Akademie der Naturforscher 12(Abt. 2): 413-606, 3 pls.
Request PDFDescription: Unicellular, biflagellate and uninucleate algae with cells enclosed by an ovoid, ellipsoid, ellipsoid-cylindrical or nearly globose wall. The major portion of the protoplast at some distance internal to the cell wall to which it is connected by delicate cytoplasmic strands which may be simple or branched. The major portion of the protoplast is ovoid or ellipsoid and the anterior end is a rostrate extension from which the two flagella arise and penetrate the cell wall. Chloroplasts mainly cup-shaped, on occasion tubular and perforate, with 1-2 (to several) pyrenoids and a large stigma. Nucleus usually central in lumen of chloroplast. Typically many contractile vacuoles present. Chloroplast and other cytoplasmic structures often (particularly in older cells) difficult to distinguish because of large accumulations of haematochrome. Haematochrome or astaxanthin also abundant in aplanospores. Asexual reproduction by division of vegetative cells into 4-8 zoospores. Vegetative cells frequently develop into thick-walled aplanospores producing 4, 8 or16 zoospores. Sexual reproduction isogamous, the quadriflagellate planozygote ultimately loosing its flagella and secreting a thickened wall. Meiosis seemingly zygotic.
Information contributed by: G.E. Dillard & M.D. Guiry. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2019-07-03 by M.D. Guiry.
Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.
Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Masjuk, N.P., Lilitska, G.G. & Kapustin, D.O. (2011). Chlamydomonadales. In: Algae of Ukraine: diversity, nomenclature, taxonomy, ecology and geography. Volume 3: Chlorophyta. (Tsarenko, P.M., Wasser, S.P. & Nevo, E. Eds), pp. 157-218. Ruggell: A.R.A. Gantner Verlag K.-G..
Comments: Haematococcus is more or less cosmopolitan, being reported from all continents except Antarctica. Isolates of Haematococcus can utilize organic nitrogen and acetate and grow heterotrophically in the dark.
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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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera,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=43375
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 03 July 2019. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 November 2024
