Desmid

Desmid

Taxobox
name = Desmids


image_width = 300px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Charophyta
classis = Zygnemophyceae
ordo = Desmidiales
subdivision_ranks = Families
subdivision =
Closteriaceae
Desmidiaceae
Gonatozygaceae
Peniaceae

Desmids are an order (Desmidiales) of green algae, comprising around 40 genera and 5,000 [Van den Hoek, C., D. G. Mann, & H. M. Jahns, 1995. "Algae:An Introduction to Phycology", page 468. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). ISBN 0-521-30419-9] to 6,000 [Brook, Alan J., 1981. "The Biology of Desmids", page 1. (Berkeley: University of California Press). ISBN 0-520-04281-6] species, found mostly but not exclusively in fresh water. Most are unicellular, and are divided into two compartments separated by a narrow bridge or isthmus. Desmids assume a variety of highly symmetrical and generally attractive shapes, which provide the basis for their classification. Each compartment has one chloroplast, and no flagella. Sexual reproduction occurs through a process of conjugation, also found among the Zygnematales. These two groups are closely related, and may be united as the division Gamophyta. The desmids are sometimes treated as members of the Zygnematales, but more often given the separate order Desmidiales.

References

Further reading

* Brook, Alan J. (1981) "The Biology of Desmids". (University of California Press, "Botanical Monographs" 16). ISBN 0-520-04281-6.

Links

* [http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=4347 Algaebase: Zygnematophyceae]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Desmid — Des mid, Desmidian Des*mid i*an, n. [Gr. desmo s chain + e i^dos form.] (Bot.) A microscopic plant of the family {Desmidi[ae]}, a group of unicellular alg[ae] in which the species have a greenish color, and the cells generally appear as if they… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • desmid — [des′mid] n. [ModL desmidium, dim. < Gr desmos, a chain; akin to dein, to bind: see DIADEM] any of a group of microscopic, freshwater green algae having single cells composed of two identical half cells with the nucleus located between them …   English World dictionary

  • desmid — desmidian, adj. /dez mid/, n. any single celled freshwater algae of the family Desmidiaceae, characterized by a division of the body into mirror image halves joined by a bridge containing the nucleus, and having a spiny or bristly exterior:… …   Universalium

  • desmid — noun Etymology: ultimately from Greek desmos Date: 1862 any of numerous unicellular or colonial green algae (order Zygnematales, especially family Desmidiaceae) …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • desmid — Chlorophyte algae that are usually freshwater living and unicellular. Their cell wall often has elaborate ornamented shape …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • desmid — noun /ˈdɛz.mɪd/ Any of about 5000 species of mostly unicellular freshwater green algae belonging to the order Desmidiales. Desmids, which are exclusively freshwater algae, are so named because the first of these green microorganisms to be… …   Wiktionary

  • desmid — des·mid (desґmid) unicellular, free floating, aquatic algae characterized by symmetrical, curved, spiny or lacey bodies with a median constriction dividing the cell into two equal halves …   Medical dictionary

  • desmid — [ dɛzmɪd] noun Biology a single celled freshwater alga which appears to be composed of two rigid cells with a shared nucleus. [Family Desmidiaceae.] Origin C19: from mod. L. Desmidium (genus name), from Gk desmos band, chain (because the algae… …   English new terms dictionary

  • desmid — des·mid …   English syllables

  • desmid — des•mid [[t]ˈdɛz mɪd[/t]] n. mcr any green algae of the family Desmidiaceae, each alga being composed of symmetrical half cells bridged by a nucleus and usu. living colonially in a branching mat • Etymology: 1860–65; < NL Desmidium a genus… …   From formal English to slang

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”