Messastrum T. S.Garcia, 2016

Holotype species: Selenastrum gracile Reinsch

Currently accepted name for the type species: Messastrum gracile (Reinsch) T.S.Garcia

Original publication and holotype designation: Garcia da Silva, T., Bock, C., Sant'Anna, C.L., Bagatini, I.L., Wodniok, S. & Vierira, A.H. (2016). Selenastraceae (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyceae): rbcL, 18S rDNA and ITS–2 secondary structure enlightens traditional taxonomy, with description of two new genera, Messastrum gen. nov. and Curvastrum gen. nov. Fottea 17(1): 1-19, 10 figs.

Request PDF

Description: Green, planktonic microalgae. Narrow, fusiform to semilunate cells, ends gradually pointed, arcuate. Colonies with 2–4–8 or multi irregularly arranged cells, mostly with the convex side towards the center of the colony. One parietal chloroplast, containing a pyrenoid, no starch cover observed. Asexual reproduction by autosporulation (2–4–8 autospores per sporangium), sexual reproduction not known. An unseparated fragment of the mother cell membrane remains and is covered by a thin mucous layer. Cells single or on 2–4–8 or multi–celled colony formation. Cells often single celled in culture. A diffuse thin layer of mucilage is often concentrated as a ring on the middle of the cells on both colonies and free individuals. Genus differs from other genera in the Selenastraceae based on differences in 18S rDNA and rbcL gene sequences.

Origin of description: this description is from the original publication; it may have been modified slightly. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2021-11-22 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Kusber, W.-H., da Silva, T.G., Bock, C., Krienitz, L. & Guiry, M.D. (2021). Revised treatment of Reinsch’s Selenastrum taxa and Messastrum (Chlorophyta) with remarks on their original material and molecularly analysed reference strains. Notulae Algarum 218: 1-5, 1 fig..

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Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in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=52095

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 22 November 2021. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 02 December 2024