Nitzschia

Nitzschia amphibia

Nitzschia is a genus of diatoms ( Bacillariophyta ), with about 600 species found in freshwater and saltwater.

Features

The representatives are unicellular, elongated diatoms. The cells have the typical diatom shell of two counters. The shell is usually rectangular, rarely sigmoid in lateral view. In valve view, it is schiffchenförmig or linear, can also be slightly constricted in the middle. In cross-section, the cells are diamond shaped. The Raphe valve run - unusual for pennate diatoms - staggered not at the center of the shell, but the brim. The Raphe valve of the upper and lower shell are diagonally opposite. The cells contain one or two elongated pendant plastids that are colored by fucoxanthin golden brown. The plastids rich from the side in both shell layers. The cells are 30 to 500 micrometers long.

Asexual reproduction occurs by the typical dichotomy of diatoms. Sexual reproduction takes place by Anisogamie, where two gametes per cell, are rarely only one formed. Following Auxosporenbildung during the cell enlargement takes place.

Occurrence

Nitzschia lives on different substrates in flowing and standing waters in brackish water and sea water. Some species live as plankton.

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. 224, ISBN 3-440-09719-6