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This alga was found in a tub of sand that had been covered in
water for about 4 months. A few thin strands had managed to spread
out and towards the end of February it had really taken hold.
The alga is a member of the Ulotrichales
and is unbranched with
a prominent chloroplast. Because of its size it is extremely difficult
to untangle and get a decent specimen to photograph, but it can
be done with just a little bit of patience.
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This photograph was taken with a X63 Leitz oil immersion lens, and shows the general layout of a single filament of this alga. The chloroplast does not completely encircle the entire cell.
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Specimens of this algae can
be found almost anywhere were there is moisture. One of the concrete
paths were I used to live before was always covered with this
algae.
Reproduction is by fragmentation and also by the release of small
zoospores that can be found after a few days on the shelf. The
zoospores are bi-flagellate. The single pyrenoid which is in the
centre of the cell can be seen in the photograph above.
Introduction to photomicrography.