Marthea

Marthea is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae, containing the single species Marthea tetras.[1] It is an extremely rare genus; it has only been recorded once,[1] as freshwater phytoplankton from its original locality in the Bohemian Forest region of the Czech Republic.[2]

Marthea
Marthea tetras
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Characiaceae
Genus: Marthea
Pascher, 1918
Species:
M. tetras
Binomial name
Marthea tetras
Pascher, 1918[1]

Marthea tetras consists of cells in colonies of four in a cross shape. Cells are spindle-shaped, with the base attached to a central mass of mucilage, while the apex of the cells are pointed. The cell wall is smooth. Cells contain one nucleus and a single, parietal chloroplast with one pyrenoid.[1]

Marthea reproduces asexually by autospores.[1] Four autospores form from one protoplast. Unusually, the autospores show amoeboid movement for some time, before settling in their usual shape and being released from the sporangium.[3]

References
  1. Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Marthea". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  2. Komárek, J.; Fott, B. (1983). Chlorophyceae (Grünalgen), Ordnung Chlorococcales. Das Phytoplankton des Süßwassers (in German). E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. p. 1044.
  3. Philipose, M. T. (1967). Chlorococcales. Monographs on algae. Vol. 8. New Delhi: Indian Council of Agricultural Research. p. 365.
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