Mesotaenium Nägeli, 1849
Holotype species: Mesotaenium endlicherianum Nägeli
Original publication and holotype designation: Nägeli, C. (1849). Gattungen einzelliger Algen, physiologisch und systematisch bearbeitet. Neue Denkschriften der Allg. Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften 10(7): i-viii, 1-139, pls I-VIII.
Request PDFDescription: Cells solitary or aggregated within common gelatinous matrix with simple or layered structure. Cells small to medium sized (10-123 µm long), straight or slightly curved, long or short cylindric, with broadly rounded ends. Chloroplasts one or two per cell, axial plate or band (rarely parietal), with 1 or 2 pyrenoids. Nucleus along middle of chloroplast band, or between chloroplasts if two present. Ultrastructurally, cell wall two-layered; inner layer with crossed bands microfibrils. Asexual reproduction usually only by transverse cell division; papillate aplanospores with same shape as vegetative cells recorded in M. aplanosporum. Sexual reproduction by conjugation known in 7 species, with broad conjugation tube between gametangia. Zygote within conjugation tube, usually extending into both gametangia. Mature zygospores spherical to quadrate, or polygonal, with smooth or papillate outer surface and smooth or scrobiculate mesospore wall layer. Mesotaenium occurs mostly in subaerial habitats, often as small gelatinous masses among mosses, or on moist soil or rocks; occasioanlly in acidic, oligotrophic, aquatic habitats or in acid bogs. Only M. degreyi reported from hard-water habitats. M. berggrenii (possibly synonymous with Ancyclonema nordenskioeldii) on snow and ice. Photoorientation of chloroplast regulated by phytochrome (or phytochrome-like polypeptide); Mesotaenium polypeptide binds with monoclonal antibodies specific to pea and maize phytochrome.
Information contributed by: J.F. Gerrath. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2024-02-15 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 neuter.
Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Hess, S., Williams, S.K., Busch, A., Irisarri, I., Delwiche, C.F., de Vries, S., Darienko, T., Roger, A.J., Archibald, J.M., Buschmann, H., von Schwartzenberg, K. & de Vries, J. (2022). A phylogenomically informed five-order system for the closest relatives of land plants. Current Biology 32: 1-10.
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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=43556
Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 15 February 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 26 November 2024
