Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chrysophyte reproduction and resting cysts: A paleolimnologist's primer

  • Published:
Journal of Paleolimnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

Chrysophyte algae produce siliceous resting cysts (stomatocysts) that are becoming an increasingly useful class of paleoecological indicator microfossils. This paper provides a review of the role that stomatocysts play in the life cycle and reproductive ecology of freshwater planktonic chrysophytes. Such information provides paleolimnologists with greater insight into the ecology of the vegetative, planktonic growth phase of species contributing stomatocysts to lacustrine microfossil assemblages. Specific chrysophyte reproductive characteristics discussed include: temporal dynamics of vegetative growth and encystment, cyst induction, cyst survivorship, germination requirements and recruitment strategies. This information serves as an introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Paleolimnology which is dedicated to the ‘Application of Chrysophyte Stomatocysts in Paleolimnology’.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adam D. P. & A. D. Mahood, 1981. Chrysophyte cysts as potential environmental indicators. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 92: 839–844.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, R. A., 1982. A light and electron microscopical investigation of Ochromonas sphaerocystis Matvienko (Chrysophyceae): the statospore, vegetative cell and its peripheral vesicles. Phycologia 21: 390–398.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, R. A., 1987. Synurophyceae classic nov., a new class of algae. Am. J. Bot. 74: 337–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen, R. A., 1989. The Synurophyceae and their relationships to other golden algae. Beih. Nova Hedwigia 95: 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asmund, B. & J. Kristiansen, 1986. The genus Mallomonas (Chrysophyceae). Opera Botanica 85: 128 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, D. F., 1985. Relationships between surface sediment diatom assemblages and lake water characteristics in Adirondack lakes. Ecology 66: 994–1011.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, D. F. & J. P. Smol, 1988. New methods for using diatoms and chrysophytes to infer past pH of low-alkalinity lakes. Limnol. Oceanogr. 33: 1451–1462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charles, D. F. & J. P. Whitehead, 1986. The PIRLA Project: Paleoecological investigations of recent lake acidification. Hydrobiologia 143: 13–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conrad, W., 1922. Contributions a l'etudé des Chrysomonadines. Rec. Inst. Bot. Leo Errera 10: 333–353.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1973. Development of cysts of Mallomonas eoa examined by scanning electron microscopy. Hydrobiologia 443: 29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1980. Cyst development in different species of Mallomonas (Chrysophyceae) studied by scanning electron microscopy. Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl. 56: 421–434.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1982. Phytoplankton changes in Lake Trummen induced by restoration. Folia Limnol. Scand. 18: 1–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1986a. Chrysophyte cysts and scales in lake sediments: a review. In Kristiansen, J. & R. A. Andersen (eds.), Chrysophytes: aspects and problems. Cambridge University Press, New York: 281–315.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1986b. Blue-green algae, green algae and chrysophyceae in sediments. In Berglund, B. E. (ed.), Handbook of Holocene Palaeoecology and Palaeohydrology. John Wiley & Sons, New York: 507–526.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1988. Variability in size and ultrastructure of the statospore of Mallomonas caudata. Hydrobiologia 161: 31–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G., 1989. Stomatocysts of Mallomonas hamata and M. heterospina (Mallomonadaceae, Synurophyceae) from southern swedish lakes. Nord. J. Bot. 8: 683–692.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cronberg, G. & C. D. Sandgren, 1986. A proposal for the development of standardized nomenclature and terminology for chrysophycean statospores. In Kristiansen, J. & R. A. Andersen (eds.), Chrysophytes: Aspects and problems. Cambridge Univ. Press, New York: 317–328.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixit, S. S., A. S. Dixit & J. P. Smol, 1989. Relationship between chrysophyte assemblages and environmental variables in seventy-two Sudbury Lakes as examined by Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 46: 1667–1676.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixit, S. S., J. P. Smol, R. B. Davis & D. Davis 1990. Utility of scaled chrysophytes in predicting lakewater pH in northern New England lakes. J. Paleolimnol. 3: 269–286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duff, K. E. & J. P. Smol, 1988. Chrysophycean stomatocysts from the postglacial sediments of of a high arctic lake. Can. J. Bot. 66: 1117–1128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duff, K. E. & J. P. Smol, 1989. Chrysophycean stomatocysts from the postglacial sediments of Tasikutaaq Lake, Baffin Island, NWT. Can. J. Bot. 67: 1649–1656.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duff, K. E. & J. P. Smol, 1991. Morphological descriptions and stratigraphic distributions of the chrysophycean stomatocysts from a recently acidified lake (Adirondack Park, N.Y.). J. Paleolimnol. 5: 73–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elser, J. J., N. C. Goff, N. A. MacKay, A. L. St. Amand, M. M. Elser & S. R. Carpenter, 1987. Species-specific algal responses to zooplankton: Experimental and field observations in three north temperate lakes. J. Plankton Res. 9: 699–717.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ettl, H., D. G. Müller, K. Neumann, H. A. von Stosch & W. Weber, 1967. Vegetative Fortpflanzung, Parthenogenese und Apogamie bei Algen. Encyclopedia of Plant. Physiol., vol. 18: 636–656.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fott, B., 1959. Zür Frage der Sexualität bei den Chrysomonaden. Nova Hedwigia 1: 115–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gayral, P., C. Haas & H. Lapailleur, 1972. Alternance morpholigique de generations et alternance de phases chez les Chrysophyceés. Mem. d. l. Soc. Bot. France. 1972: 215–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibberd, D. J., 1976. The ultrastructure and taxonomy of the Chrysophyceae and Prymnesiophyceae (Haptophyceae): a survey with some new observations on the ultrastructure of the Chrysophyceae. Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 72: 55–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibberd, D. J., 1977. Ultrastructure of cyst formation in Ochromonas tuberculata (Chrysophyceae). J. Phycol. 13: 309–320.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreis, R. G., et al., 1990. Diatom, pH relationships in the northern Great Lakes Region for predicting past lake acidity. PIRLA Interim Report, EPRI, Electric Power Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehman, J. T. & C. D. Sandgren, 1985. Species-specific rates of growth and grazing loss among freshwater algae. Limnol. Oceanogr. 30: 34–46.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munch, C. S., 1972. An ecological study of the planktonic chrysophytes of Hall Lake, Washington. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. Washington, Seattle.

  • Nauwerck, A., 1968. Das Phytoplankton des Latnjajaure 1954–1965. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol. 30: 188–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nygaard, G., 1965. Ancient and recent flora of diatoms and Chrysophyceae in Lake Gribsø. In: Berg, K. & I. C. Peterson (eds), Studies in humic, acid Lake Gribø. Folia Limnol. Scand. 8: 32–94.

  • Pascher, A., 1912. Über Rhizopoden und Palmellastadien bei Flagellaten (Chrysomonaden), nebst einer Übersicht über braunen Flagellaten. Arch. Protistenk. 24: 153–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preisig, H. R., 1986. Biomineralization in the Chrysophyceae. In Leadbeater, B. S. C. & R. Riding (eds.), Biomineralization in Lower Plants and Animals. Clarendon Press, Oxford: 345–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Preisig, H. R. & D. J. Hibberd, 1983. Ultrastructure and taxonomy of Paraphysomonas (Chrysophyceae) and related genera. 3. Nord. J. Bot. 3: 695–723.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, C. S., 1984. The Ecology of Freshwater Phytoplankton. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruttner, F., 1930. Das Plankton des Lunzer Untersees: seine Verteilung in Raum und Zeit während der Jahre 1908–1913. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 23: 1–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rybak, M., 1986. The chrysophycean paleocyst flora of the bottom sediments of Kortowskie Lake (Poland) and its ecological significance. Hydrobiologia 140: 67–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rybak, M., 1987. Fossil chrysophycean cyst flora of Racze Lake, Wollin Island (Poland) in relations to paleoenvironmental conditions. Hydrobiologia 150: 257–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rybak, M., I. Rybak & M. Dickman, 1987. Fossil chrysophcean cyst flora in a small meromictic lake in southern Ontario, and its paleoecological interpretation. Can. J. Bot. 65: 2425–2440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rybak, M., I. Rybak & K. Nicholls, 1991. Sedimentary chrysophycean cyst assemblages as paleoindicators in acid sensitive lakes. J. Paleolimnol. 5: 19–72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1978. Resting cysts of the Chrysophyceae: Their induction, development and strategic significance in the life history of planktonic species. Ph.D. Thesis. Univ. Washington, Seattle.

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1980a. An utrastructural investigation of resting cyst formation in Dinobryon cylindricum Imhof (Chrysophyceae, Chrysophycota). Protistologica 16: 259–275.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1980b. Resting cyst formation in selected chrysophyte flagellates: an ultrastructural survey including a proposal for the phylogenetic significance of interspecific variations in the encystment process. Protistologica 16: 289–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1981. Characteristics of sexual and asexual resting cyst (statospore) formation in Dinobryon cylindricum Imhof. J. Phycol. 17: 199–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1983a. Morphological variability in populations of chrysophycean resting cysts. I. Genetic (interclonal) and encystment temperature effects on morphology. J. Phycol. 19: 64–70.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1983b. Survival strategies in chrysophycean flagellates: reproduction and formation of resistant resting cysts. In Fryxell, G. (ed.), Survival Strategies in the Algae. Cambridge Univ. Press, New York: 23–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1986. Effects of environmental temperature on the vegetative growth and sexual life history of Dinobryon cylindricum Imhof. In Kristiansen, J. & R. A. Andersen (eds.), Chrysophytes: Aspects and Problems, Cambridge Univ. Press, New York: 207–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1988. The ecology of chrysophyte flagellates: their growth and perennation strategies as freshwater phytoplankton. In Sandgren, C. D. (ed.), Growth and Reproductive Strategies of Freshwater Phytoplankton. Cambridge University Press: 9–104.

  • Sandgren, C. D., 1989. SEM observations on siliceous statopore (stomatocyst) development in diverse members of the Chrysophyceae and Synurophyceae (sensu Andersen). Beih. Nova Hedwigia 95: 45–69.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D. & H. J. Carney, 1983. A flora of fossil chrysophyceaen cysts from the recent sediments of Frains Lake, Michigan, U.S.A. Nova Hedwigia 38: 129–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandgren, C. D. & J. Flanagin, 1986. Heterothallic sexuality and density-dependent encystment in the chrysophycean flagellate Synura petersenii Korshikov. J. Phycol. 22: 206–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sheath, R. G., J. A. Hellebust & T. Sawa, 1975. The statospore of Dinobryon divergens Imhof: formation and germination in a subarctic lake. J. Phycol. 11: 131–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siver, P. A., 1988. Distribution of scaled chrysophytes in 17 Adirondack (New York) lakes with special reference to pH. Can. J. Bot. 66: 1391–1403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siver, P. A., 1991. The stomatocyst of Mallomonas acaroides v. muskokana (Chrysophyceae). J. Paleolimnol. 5: 11–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skogstad, A., 1984. Vegetative cells and cysts of Mallomonas intermedia (Mallomonadacea, Chrysophyceae). Nord. J. Bot. 4: 275–278.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skogstad, A., 1987. The development of the statospore of Mallomonas crassisquama studied by SEM.-Abst. Second Int. Chrysophyte Symp., Berlin: 25.

  • Skogstad, A. & O. L. Reymond, 1989. An ultrastructural study of vegetative cells, encystment, and mature statopores in Spiniferomonas bourrellyi (Chrysophyceae). Beih. Nova. Hedwigia 95: 71–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smol, J. P., 1984. The statospore of Mallomonas pseudocoronata Prescott (Mallomonadaceae, Chrysophyceae). Nord. J. Bot. 61: 827–831.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smol, J. P., 1988. Chrysophyceaen microfossils in paleolimnological studies. Paleogeog. Plaeoclimat. Paleoecol. 62: 287–297.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, E., 1987. Loricate and scale-bearing protists from Lutzow-Holm Bay, Anarctica. II. Four marine species of Paraphysomonas (Chrysophyceae) including two new species from the fast-ice covered coastal area. Jap. J. Phycol. 35: 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, E., K. Watanabe & H. Satoh, 1986. Siliceous cysts from Kita-no-Seto Strait, north of Syowa Station, Antarctica. Mem. Natl. Inst. Polar Res., Spec. Issue 40: 84–95.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, 53201, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Craig D. Sandgren

  2. Center for Great Lakes Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, P.O. Box 413, 53201, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Craig D. Sandgren

Authors
  1. Craig D. Sandgren
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

This is the first in a series of four papers published in this dedicated issue entitled ‘Application of Chrysophyte Stomatocysts in Paleolimnology’. Dr. C. D. Sandgren served as guest editor for these papers.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sandgren, C.D. Chrysophyte reproduction and resting cysts: A paleolimnologist's primer. J Paleolimnol 5, 1–9 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00226555

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00226555

Key words

Search

Navigation