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Tetraspora-like colonies (Tetrasporaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Colonial chlorophyte with thousands of approx. spherical cells, mostly in groups of two or especially four, set within a mucilaginous sac. Each cell contains a green, cup-shaped, parietal chloroplast, which in turn contains a pyrenoid and a red eyespot.  A pair of pseudoflagella emerge from each cell (difficult to see; needs high magnification). Attached to the streambed.

[Tetraspora], lower Clutha River, X12. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Tetraspora, lower Clutha River, X12. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua
[Tetraspora], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Tetraspora, X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Most common on the beds of slow-flowing streams and rivers

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Chlorophyta
Class Chlorophyceae
Order Chlamydomonadales
Family Tetrasporaceae
Common name Green algae