Draparnaldia

Not to be confused with Draparnaudia, the genus of gastropod.
Draparnaldia
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chaetophorales
Family: Chaetophoraceae
Genus: Draparnaldia
Bory de Saint-Vincent, 1808
Type species
Draparnaldia mutabilis
Species[1]
  • D. acuta
  • D. elongata
  • D. glomerata
  • D. judayi
  • D. mutabilis
  • D. platyzonata

Draparnaldia is a genus of algae, in the family Chaetophoraceae.[1] Draparnaldia are uniseriate; each filament is composed of a chain of cells arranged in one row. Chloroplasts appear as a band within the center of each cell. The length of the main axis cells are generally the same, regardless of whether or not they bear branches. These side branches are divided extensively into terminal hairs. The entire plant is enveloped in loose, slippery mucilage.

Morphology

Draparnaldia attaches to the substrate with rhizoids and is composed of erect, branching filaments surrounded by soft mucilage. Branches born in alternating, opposite, or whorls of tufts from the main axis. Chloroplasts tend to be parietal bands (i.e. "barrel shaped"). Tips of branches usually bearing long, tapering hairs.[2] The morphology is highly variable [2] being dependent upon several environmental conditions.[2][3] The hairs develop through the elongation of the apical cell on the branch tips; as they elongate, the chloroplast is lost. Hair development is affected by the levels of phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and light. Although hair production can be suppressed under lab conditions, they are always present in the field.[3]

Ecology

Draparnaldia is usually found attached to sand, sticks [4] or rocky substrate. It can be located in streams, ditches, springs, and shallow, peaty lakes,[2] but usually only in cold, soft flowing waters.[4] The hairs seem to function in nutrient uptake. Under low nutrient levels, the intensity of hair formation increases. It has been demonstrated that phosphatase activity is localized to the hairs and can be induced with decreasing phosphorus levels.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2007). "Genus: Draparnaldia taxonomy browser". AlgaeBase version 4.2 World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The Freshwater Alagal Flora of the British Isles: An Identification Guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial Algae. 2002. Eds. John D.M., B.A. Whitton, & A.J. Brook. Cambridge University Press: United Kingdom.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Whitton, B.A. 1988. "Hairs in Eukaryotic Algae" in: Algae and the aquatic environment. Ed: Round, F.E. Titus Wilson & Son Ltd.: Kendal, England.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Prescott, G. W. 1968. The Algae: A Review. Houghton Mifflin Company: Boston.

External links

Scientific references

Scientific databases