Difference between revisions of "Algae around UConn"
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Microorganisms are incredibly diverse. A small sample of water from a local pond can contain dozens of species - some related to plants, some related to fungi, and some belonging to completely different, ancient lineages of eukaryotes (see simplified eukaryotic tree of life on the left). Algae are a subset of this diversity: they are organisms that contain a photosynthetic organelle (plastid). Here are a few examples of the charismatic algae found in the vicinity of the University of Connecticut. <br> | Microorganisms are incredibly diverse. A small sample of water from a local pond can contain dozens of species - some related to plants, some related to fungi, and some belonging to completely different, ancient lineages of eukaryotes (see simplified eukaryotic tree of life on the left). Algae are a subset of this diversity: they are organisms that contain a photosynthetic organelle (plastid). Here are a few examples of the charismatic algae found in the vicinity of the University of Connecticut. <br> | ||
[https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zWGjAyPbB6X0.kb_mF9uNu_eQ Click here to see the map of localities sampled so far]<br> | [https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zWGjAyPbB6X0.kb_mF9uNu_eQ Click here to see the map of localities sampled so far]<br> | ||
− | Current total: | + | Current total: 133 species!<br> |
==[http://tolweb.org/Stramenopiles/2380 Stramenopiles]== | ==[http://tolweb.org/Stramenopiles/2380 Stramenopiles]== | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Melosira.jpg|thumb|center|''Melosira'' sp., a common chain-forming diatom from Middle Bolton Lake, Vernon, CT]] || [[Image:Nitzschia.jpg|thumb| | + | | [[Image:Melosira.jpg|thumb|center|''Melosira'' sp., a common chain-forming diatom from Middle Bolton Lake, Vernon, CT]] || [[Image:Nitzschia.jpg|thumb|70px|center|''Nitzschia sigma'', a unicellular diatom from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Tabellaria.jpg|thumb|center|''Tabellaria'' sp., a common colony-forming diatom from Middle Bolton Lake, Vernon, CT]] || [[Image:Rhopalodia.jpg|thumb|180px|center|''Rhopalodia gibba'', a unicellular diatom from the EEB greenhouse, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Gomphonema.jpg|thumb|180px|center|''Gomphonema'' sp. from River Park, Tolland, CT]] |
− | [[Image:Rhopalodia.jpg|thumb| | + | |
|} | |} | ||
{| | {| | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Ceratium.jpg|250px|thumb| | + | | [[Image:Ceratium.jpg|250px|thumb|center|''Ceratium hirundinella'' from Middle Bolton Lake, Vernon, CT]] || [[Image:Peridinium.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Peridinium'' cf. ''cinctum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Gymnodinium.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Parvodinium umbonatum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Gymnodinium_sp.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Gymnodinium'' sp. from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Lyngbya.jpg|thumb|center|''Lyngbya'' sp., a large sheathed filamentous cyanobacterium from Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Leibleinia.jpg|thumb|center|''Leibleinia'', a small filamentous cyanobacterium growing epiphytically on ''Lyngbya''; Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Woronichinia_naegeliana.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Woronichinia naegeliana'' a cyanobacterium forming compact, round, hollow colonies; Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] | + | | [[Image:Lyngbya.jpg|thumb|center|''Lyngbya'' sp., a large sheathed filamentous cyanobacterium from Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Leibleinia.jpg|thumb|center|''Leibleinia'', a small filamentous cyanobacterium growing epiphytically on ''Lyngbya''; Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Woronichinia_naegeliana.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Woronichinia naegeliana'' a cyanobacterium forming compact, round, hollow colonies; Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Chroococcus_sp.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Chroococcus'' sp. from Pine Acres Lake, Hampton, CT]] || [[Image:Merismopedia_elegans_sp.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Merismopedia elegans'' from Pine Acres Lake, Hampton, CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==Rhodophyta== | ||
+ | Rhodophyta, or red algae, are common in marine habitats and are especially diverse in the tropics. Several of these macroscopic seaweeds are used for human consumption, e.g., ''Porphyra'' or nori is used for sushi wraps. There are freshwater rhodophytes, though, both microscopic and macroscopic. The branched filaments of ''Batrachospermum'' are often found in small streams, while ''Lemanea'' tends to grow on rocks around or on dams. These algae are macroscopic but hard to find if you don't know what you are looking for. Both genera occur in Connecticut. | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |||
+ | | [[Image:Lemanea_macro.jpg|thumb|center|''Lemanea'' sp. from Eagleville Dam, Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Lemanea_smushed.jpg|250px|thumb|center|close-up of a dissected filament of ''Lemanea'' sp. from Eagleville Dam, Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Lemanea_cortication.jpg|250px|thumb|center|close-up of the surface of a ''Lemanea'' filament, showing corticating cells; Eagleville Dam, Eagleville, CT]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
==Euglenoids== | ==Euglenoids== | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Phacus.jpg|thumb|center|''Phacus orbicularis'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Euglena.jpg| | + | | [[Image:Phacus.jpg|thumb|center|''Phacus orbicularis'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Phacus_longicaudatus.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Phacus longicaudatus'' from River Park, Tolland, CT]] || [[Image:Phacus_tortus.jpg|thumb|center|''Phacus tortus'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Euglena.jpg|120px|thumb|center|''Euglena'' sp. from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT; video of another ''Euglena'' species from Tift Pond [http://youtu.be/wwPq45VCbM8 here]]] || [[Image:Eugllena_acus.jpg|170px|thumb|center|''Euglena acus'' from wetland on Airline Trail North, Eastford, CT]] || [[Image:Euglena_spirogyra.jpg|170px|thumb|center|''Euglena spirogyra'' from wetland on Airline Trail North, Eastford, CT]] |
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |||
+ | | [[Image:Trachelomonas_volvocina.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Trachelomonas volvocina'' from pond on Eldredge Rd., Willington, CT; [http://youtu.be/IaKVIHQEHIY video of another species here]]] || [[Image:Trachelomonas_armata.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Trachelomonas armata'' var. ''steinii'' from Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Strombomonas_sp.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Strombomonas'' sp. from Tift Pond, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Trachelomonas_hystrix.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Trachelomonas'' cf. ''hystrix'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |||
+ | | [[Image:Lepocinclis_ovum.jpg|180px|thumb|center|''Lepocinclis ovum'' from wetland on Airline Trail North, Eastford, CT]] || [[Image:Lepocinclis_texta.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Lepocinclis texta'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
+ | |||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Aphanochaete.jpg|thumb|center|''Aphanochaete repens'' growing epiphytically on ''Oedogonium''; from Walker Reservoir, Vernon, CT]] || [[Image:Chaetophora.jpg| | + | | [[Image:Aphanochaete.jpg|250px|thumb|center|''Aphanochaete repens'' growing epiphytically on ''Oedogonium''; from Walker Reservoir, Vernon, CT]] || [[Image:Chaetophora.jpg|250px|thumb|center|''Chaetophora'' sp. from stream by the Willington Pizza restaurant, Willington, CT]] || [[Image:Microspora.jpg|120px|thumb|center|''Microspora'' sp. from stream by the Willington Pizza restaurant, Willington, CT]] || [[Image:Oedogonium.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Oedogonium'' sp. from stream by the Willington Pizza restaurant, Willington, CT; [http://youtu.be/SSGM4exvNoE swimming cell video here]]] || [[Image:Bulbochaete.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Bulbochaete'' sp. from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Ankistrodesmus.jpg|thumb|center|''Ankistrodesmus falcatus'', a colonial alga from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Kirchneriella.jpg|thumb|center|''Kirchneriella lunaris'', a colonial alga from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] | + | |
+ | | [[Image:Quadrigula_chodatii.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Quadrigula chodatii'', a colonial alga related to ''Ankistrodesmus'', ''Kirchneriella'', and ''Selenastrum''; from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | | [[Image:Ankistrodesmus.jpg|thumb|center|''Ankistrodesmus falcatus'', a colonial alga from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Kirchneriella.jpg|thumb|center|''Kirchneriella lunaris'', a colonial alga from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Dictyosphaerium_pulchellum.jpg|thumb|center|''Dictyosphaerium pulchellum'', a colonial alga from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Tetraedron_regulare.jpg|thumb|center|''Tetraedron regulare'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Tetraedron_enorme.jpg|thumb|center|''Tetraedron enorme'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Ped_angulosum.jpg|thumb|center|''Pediastrum angulosum'', a coenobial alga related to ''Stauridium'', from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Ped_duplex.jpg|thumb|center|''Pediastrum duplex'', a coenobial alga related to ''Stauridium'', from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Scenedesmus.jpg|thumb|center|''Scenedesmus'' sp., a close relative of ''Desmodesmus'', from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Coelastrum_cambricum.jpg|thumb|center|''Coelastrum cambricum'', a colonial alga from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] | + | | [[Image:Ped_angulosum.jpg|thumb|center|''Pediastrum angulosum'', a coenobial alga related to ''Stauridium'', from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Ped_duplex.jpg|thumb|center|''Pediastrum duplex'', a coenobial alga related to ''Stauridium'', from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Scenedesmus.jpg|thumb|center|''Scenedesmus'' sp., a close relative of ''Desmodesmus'', from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Coelastrum_cambricum.jpg|thumb|center|''Coelastrum cambricum'', a colonial alga from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Desmodesmus_quadricauda.jpg|thumb|center|''Desmodesmus quadricauda'', a coenobial alga from River Park, Tolland, CT]] |
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | | [[Image:Sorastrum_americanum.jpg|thumb|center|''Sorastrum americanum'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Tetmemorus_brebissonii.jpg|100px|thumb|center|''Tetmemorus brebissonii'' from a marsh at Bigelow Hollow, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Tetmemorus_granulatus.jpg|180px|thumb|center|''Tetmemorus granulatus'' from a marsh at Bigelow Hollow, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Micrasterias_mahabuleshwarensis.jpg|280px|thumb|center|''Micrasterias mahabuleshwarensis'' from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Onychonema_laeve.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Onychonema laeve'' from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Spondylosium luetkemuelleri.jpg|200px|thumb|center| empty cell walls of ''Spondylosium luetkemuelleri'' from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] | + | | [[Image:Xanthidium_antilopaeum.jpg|thumb|center|''Xanthidium antilopaeum'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Cosmarium1.jpg|thumb|center|''Cosmarium'' sp. from the EEB greenhouse, Storrs, CT]] || [[Image:Cosmarium_granatum.jpg|thumb|center|''Cosmarium granatum'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Cosmarium_contractum.jpg|thumb|center|''Cosmarium contractum'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Staurastrum.jpg|thumb|left|''Staurastrum'' cf. ''hirsutum'' from stream by the Willington Pizza restaurant, Willington, CT]] |
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |||
+ | | [[Image:Tetmemorus_brebissonii.jpg|100px|thumb|center|''Tetmemorus brebissonii'' from a marsh at Bigelow Hollow, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Tetmemorus_granulatus.jpg|180px|thumb|center|''Tetmemorus granulatus'' from a marsh at Bigelow Hollow, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Micrasterias_mahabuleshwarensis.jpg|280px|thumb|center|''Micrasterias mahabuleshwarensis'' var. ''ringens'' from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Onychonema_laeve.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Onychonema laeve'' from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Spondylosium luetkemuelleri.jpg|200px|thumb|center| empty cell walls of ''Spondylosium luetkemuelleri'' from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image: | + | | [[Image:Closterium3.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Closterium'' cf. ''kuetzingii'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Closterium4.jpg|100px|thumb|center|''Closterium'' sp. from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Closterium_parvulum.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Closterium parvulum'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville Rd., CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
{| | {| | ||
− | + | |[[Image:Hyalotheca.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Hyalotheca dissiliens'', a filamentous desmid from Cedar Swamp/Rt. 195, Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Desmidium.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Desmidium grevillei'', a filamentous desmid from Cedar Swamp/Rt. 195, Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Desmidium_swartzii.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Desmidium swartzii'', a filamentous desmid from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Sphaerozosma.jpg|120px|thumb|center|''Spondylosium'' cf. ''pulchrum'', a filamentous desmid from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Teilingia.jpg|100px|thumb|center|''Teilingia'' sp., a small filamentous desmid from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] | |
+ | |||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Euastrum_cf_pulchellum.jpg|thumb|center|''Euastrum'' cf. ''pulchellum'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_binale.jpg|thumb|center|''Euastrum binale'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_bidentatum.jpg|thumb|center|''Euastrum bidentatum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_affube.jpg|300px|thumb|center|''Euastrum affine'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_denticulatum.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Euastrum denticulatum'' from | + | | [[Image:Euastrum_cf_pulchellum.jpg|thumb|center|''Euastrum'' cf. ''pulchellum'' from pond on Forest Rd., Mansfield, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_binale.jpg|thumb|center|''Euastrum binale'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_bidentatum.jpg|thumb|center|''Euastrum bidentatum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_affube.jpg|300px|thumb|center|''Euastrum affine'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Euastrum_denticulatum.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Euastrum denticulatum'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
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{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Pleurotaenium_nodosum.jpg|120px|thumb|center|''Pleurotaenium nodosum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Staurastrum_arctiscon.jpg|thumb|center|''Staurastrum arctiscon'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Bambusina.jpg|130px|thumb|center|''Bambusina brebissonii'' from | + | | [[Image:Pleurotaenium_nodosum.jpg|120px|thumb|center|''Pleurotaenium nodosum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Staurastrum_arctiscon.jpg|thumb|center|''Staurastrum arctiscon'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Bambusina.jpg|130px|thumb|center|''Bambusina brebissonii'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Staurodesmus_convergens.jpg|thumb|center|''Staurodesmus convergens'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Staurastrum_ophiura.jpg|thumb|center|''Staurastrum'' cf. ''ophiura'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Cosmarium_amoenum.jpg|thumb|center|''Cosmarium amoenum'' from Breakneck Pond, Union, CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | | [[Image:Xanthidium_cristatum.jpg|180px|thumb|center|''Xanthidium cristatum'' from Pine Acres Lake, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Micrasterias_radiata.jpg|250px|thumb|center|''Micrasterias radiata'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Gonatozygon_aculeatum.jpg|150px|thumb|center|''Gonatozygon aculeatum'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, Union, CT]] || [[Image:Micrasterias_pinnatifida.jpg|230px|thumb|center|''MIcrasterias pinnatifida'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | {| | ||
+ | |||
+ | | [[Image:Cosmarium_comminsurale.jpg|thumb|center|''Cosmarium comminsurale'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Staurastrum_teliferum.jpg|thumb|center|''Staurastrum'' cf. ''teliferum'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] || [[Image:Staurodesmus_subulatus.jpg|thumb|center|''Staurodesmus subulatus'' from wetland on Mansfield City Rd., Eagleville, CT]] | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | <br> | ||
*The order Zygnematales contains commonly occurring ("weedy") filamentous taxa ''Zygnema'', ''Mougeotia'', and ''Spirogyra'', but also several unicellular genera, for example ''Netrium'' or ''Spirotaenia''.<br> | *The order Zygnematales contains commonly occurring ("weedy") filamentous taxa ''Zygnema'', ''Mougeotia'', and ''Spirogyra'', but also several unicellular genera, for example ''Netrium'' or ''Spirotaenia''.<br> | ||
{| | {| | ||
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|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
− | * | + | *Klebsormidiales are a group of inconspicuous but commonly occurring filamentous algae. |
+ | *Coleochaetales are among the closest relatives of land plants. Some species retain and nourish the fertilized zygote (this is called matritrophy) and form disc-like thalli (bodies) that often grow attached to aquatic plants or other substrates. | ||
{| | {| | ||
− | | [[Image:Coleochaete_scutata.jpg|250px|thumb|center|''Coleochaete scutata'' from Bigelow Pond, Union, CT]] | + | | [[Image:Klebsormidium_sp.jpg|200px|thumb|center|''Klebsormidium'' sp. from Halls Pond, Chaplin, CT]] || [[Image:Coleochaete_scutata.jpg|250px|thumb|center|''Coleochaete scutata'' from Bigelow Pond, Union, CT]] |
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> |
Revision as of 11:51, 27 July 2014
Contents
Microorganisms are incredibly diverse. A small sample of water from a local pond can contain dozens of species - some related to plants, some related to fungi, and some belonging to completely different, ancient lineages of eukaryotes (see simplified eukaryotic tree of life on the left). Algae are a subset of this diversity: they are organisms that contain a photosynthetic organelle (plastid). Here are a few examples of the charismatic algae found in the vicinity of the University of Connecticut.
Click here to see the map of localities sampled so far
Current total: 133 species!
Stramenopiles
Many microscopic and macroscopic algae belong to the group called Stramenopiles (also referred to as heterokonts). Diatoms, Chrysophytes, and Synurophytes are microscopic, and Phaeophytes (kelps, or brown algae) are mostly macroscopic and marine.
- Dinobryon is a colonial flagellated alga from the class Chrysophyceae. Another colonial chrysophyte is Uroglenopsis, also found in CT (Middle Bolton Lake).
- Synura is a genus of the Synurophyceae, the sister group of Chrysophyceae. Their plastids give members of both groups a typical golden-brown color. Synurophyceae have cells covered with siliceous scales. Detailed examination of scale morphology is often needed for species identification. Colonies of Synura are not the most elegant of swimmers, but are fun to watch tumbling around.
- Mallomonas is a common solitary synurophyte. Its cells are also covered in scales and often equipped with long bristles attached to the scales. Note how large the cell is in comparison to the individual cells in the colony of Synura.
- Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) are very common not only in freshwater habitats, but also in marine environments. They can be solitary cells or form chains or stalked colonies. Their cells are enclosed in siliceous cases called frustules, which bear fine ornamentation best visible under high magnifications or under a scanning microscope. These fine structures of the frustules are used to identify diatom species.
- Gonyostomum is one of the few members of the small phylum Raphidophyta. It can form nuisance blooms.
Dinoflagellates
Dinoflagellates are members of the Alveolata, a group related to the Stramenopiles. Ceratium and Peridinium are common freshwater genera.
Cyanobacteria
Some "algae" are not even eukaryotic - the photosynthetic Cyanobacteria (some of which gave rise to chloroplasts) are sometimes also referred to as "blue-green algae". They are morphologically diverse, ranging from unicellular to colonial to filamentous. They are very common and in some cases even form toxic blooms.
Rhodophyta
Rhodophyta, or red algae, are common in marine habitats and are especially diverse in the tropics. Several of these macroscopic seaweeds are used for human consumption, e.g., Porphyra or nori is used for sushi wraps. There are freshwater rhodophytes, though, both microscopic and macroscopic. The branched filaments of Batrachospermum are often found in small streams, while Lemanea tends to grow on rocks around or on dams. These algae are macroscopic but hard to find if you don't know what you are looking for. Both genera occur in Connecticut.
Euglenoids
Euglenoids are an ancient lineage most closely related to Kinetoplastida (best known for the parasite Trypanosoma). They acquired photosynthetic abilities by engulfing a green alga - and therefore they may superficially resemble one. Among the commonly occurring genera are Euglena, Trachelomonas, and Phacus.
- Unlike green algae, which store energy in form of starch, euglenoids use a different carbohydrate, paramylon. The paramylon bodies are often large and of a white-ish, "shiny" appearance, like the one visible in the Phacus specimen below.
Green algae: Chlorophyta
- Some algae grow on plants or on other algae - epiphytically. Aphanochaete from the order Chaetophorales, is an example of a green filamentous alga growing on another green filamentous alga, Oedogonium (order Oedogoniales).
- Other free-living filamentous algae are Microspora, the branching Chaetophora, the above mentioned Oedogonium, and Bulbochaete - a relative of Oedogonium with branched filaments ending in long projections.
- Green algae often produce swimming cells as part of their life cycles. As an example, a video of a swimming cell of Oedogonium can be found here.
- Some green algae form colonies with defined numbers of cells (4, 8, 16, etc.). Such colonies are called coenobia. Commonly found coenobial green algae are Pediastrum, Stauridium, Coelastrum, Desmodesmus, and Scenedesmus from the order Sphaeropleales. Their sister order Volvocales also contains several coenobial representatives, for example: Eudorina, Pleodorina, Pandorina, and Volvox.
Green algae: Streptophyta
- The order Desmidiales contains some of the most spectacular of algae. Many species of the crescent-shaped Closterium can be found in the Northeast, as well as Cosmarium, Staurastrum, Euastrum, Micrasterias, Xanthidium, and others.
- The order Zygnematales contains commonly occurring ("weedy") filamentous taxa Zygnema, Mougeotia, and Spirogyra, but also several unicellular genera, for example Netrium or Spirotaenia.
- Klebsormidiales are a group of inconspicuous but commonly occurring filamentous algae.
- Coleochaetales are among the closest relatives of land plants. Some species retain and nourish the fertilized zygote (this is called matritrophy) and form disc-like thalli (bodies) that often grow attached to aquatic plants or other substrates.
- Not all algae are microscopic. Aside from the conspicuous marine seaweeds, several freshwater algae are also observable by the naked eye. The green algae of the class Charophyceae (stoneworts) can be found in many water bodies in the Northeast, but can be easily mistaken for aquatic plants.
- And let's not forget the most famous lineage of Streptophyta - land plants!