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Synura (Synuraceae)

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Diagnostic features

Small balloon- or pear- shaped chrysophycean cells, each with two golden chloroplasts, packed together in roundish motile colonies. Each cell has two flagella projecting outwards from the colony, and a stalk directed inward toward the colony centre. Each cell is surrounded by spirally arranged, colourless scales (needs high magnification to see).

[Synura], Unitec stream, X200. Photo: Manaaki Whenua Image
Synura, Unitec stream, X200. Photo: Manaaki Whenua
[Synura], Unitec stream, X240. Photo: Manaaki Whenua Image
Synura, Unitec stream, X240. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Ponds and lakes with moderate to good water quality

Classification

Kingdom Chromista
Phylum Ochrophyta
Class Chrysophyceae
Order Synurales
Family Synuraceae
Common name Golden-brown algae