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Coleochaete (Coleochaetaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Colonial green alga that forms a flat thallus. Technically the genus is filamentous, in which a number of filaments radiate from a central point.  In the species shown (C. orbicularis), the edges of the filaments are joined, so the thallus forms a disc - this is not the case in other species.  Each cell has a single parietal green chloroplast. Colonies commonly attach to plants or to floating debris.

[Coleochaete], X200. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Coleochaete, X200. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua
[Coleochaete], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua Image
Coleochaete, X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

The specimen photographed was from a pond with lots of bird life.

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum  
Class Coleochaetophyceae
Order Coleochaetales
Family Coleochaetaceae
Common name Green algae