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Pleurotaenium (Desmidiaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Unicellular desmid with long cylindrical cells, with a wavy outline in some species, divided into two semicells. The semicells may have swollen ends at the point they meet, either side of a shallow constriction or isthmus, which may be surrounded by a ring.  One green chloroplast with pyrenoids per semicell.

[Pleurotaenium], north Taranaki swamp, X100. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Pleurotaenium, north Taranaki swamp, X100. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua
[Pleurotaenium], X200. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Pleurotaenium, X200. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Found in wetlands and other acidic waters

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Charophyta
Class Zygnemophyceae
Order Desmidiales
Family Desmidiaceae
Common name Green algae