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Hydrodictyon (Hydrodictyaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Colonial chlorophyte with cylindrical cells linked at each end to two other cells, forming a polygonal net. Each cell contains a single large netlike chloroplast with numerous pyrenoids. Cells are multinucleate, and much of their internal space is taken up by large vacuoles. Colonies can be a metre long or more.  Also known as "water net".

[Hydrodictyon], Saltwater Creek, Hawkes Bay, X40. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Hydrodictyon, Saltwater Creek, Hawkes Bay, X40. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua
[Hydrodictyon], X400. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Hydrodictyon, X400. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Found in lakes, ponds and slow-flowing waters

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Chlorophyta
Class Chlorophyceae
Order Chlamydomonadales
Family Hydrodictyaceae
Common name Water net