Geminella (alga)

Geminella is occurring in freshwater green algae from the genus - group of the Chlorophyceae. It includes about 11 species.

Features

The representatives form unbranched filaments of a cell row, the threads disintegrate easily in single cells. The filament diameter is from 2 to 20 microns. The cells are embedded in a jelly that encloses all cells, but is often difficult to observe. Often two cells are pairwise approached in another thread.

The cells have a central cell nucleus and a band-like, parietal chloroplast containing a single pyrenoid and starch.

Asexual reproduction takes place by transverse division of cells and disintegration of the filament by resolution of the jelly. Sexual reproduction of the species is unknown.

Occurrence

The representatives of the genus are found in the plankton of lakes and ponds. They are often overlooked.

Documents

• K.-H. Linne von Berg, K. Hoef -Emden, B. Marin, M. Melkonian: The Cosmos algae leader. The main freshwater algae under the microscope. Kosmos, Stuttgart 2004, pp. 356, ISBN 3-440-09719-6