Rhodomonas

Rhodomonas salina

Rhodomonas is a genus of algae group of Cryptophyceae. It grows mainly in the sea, some species in fresh water before.

Features

The representatives are small unicellular organisms that are large below 20 microns. Its shape is elongated asymmetrical. They have a nucleus and a plastid, which is red to olive color, and split in two. These two lobes of the plastids are connected by a bridge, in which a pyrenoid located. The two different length flagella about putting something under the front end of the cell and are located in a funnel- shaped region of the pharyngeal grooves range. In the pharynx there are several explosive organelles ( Ejektosomen ). Contractile vacuole usually sits close to the front end.

Asexual reproduction occurs through a complex form of longitudinal division, during which reverses the polarity of the daughter cells. Sexual reproduction has not been observed in Rhdomonas.

Occurrence

Rhodomonas is found mainly in the sea. In fresh water, two species in Europe occur. They rarely occur in cold to temperate waters.

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, p 88, ISBN 3-440-09719-6