Abstract
The ultrastructure of biflagellate zoospores in seven species of the green algaChlorosarcinopsis (Chlorosarcinales) was studied, particularly the cruciate flagellar root system, and a comparative approach was attempted. The seven species constitute four groups on the basis of pyrenoid ultrastructure, presence or absence of a cell envelope covering zoospores, and details of the flagellar root system. Variable structures include root tubule number (4-2-4-2 or 5-2-5-2), association of electron dense material with root tubules and root tubule configurations. Otherwise the root system is similar in all species. Zoospores which lack a cell envelope (three species) show characteristic reorientation of basal bodies with flagellar beat. This results in different images of some basal body associated structures (e.g. distal striated fiber). A fixed basal body orientation was noted in those species where zoospores are covered by a cell envelope. Structural contact of root tubules from root type II (4- or 5-stranded root) with the outer chloroplast membrane in the region of the eyespot was demonstrated for all species. On the basis of some new observations a general description of the cruciate flagellar root system in biflagellate green algae is given and a new nomenclature is offered. Taxonomic implications and functional aspects of cruciate flagellar root systems in biflagellate green algae are discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, R. G. W., 1977: Biochemical and cytochemical evidence for ATPase activity in basal bodies isolated from oviduct. — J. Cell Biol.47, 547–560.
Arnott, H. J., Brown, R. M., 1967: Ultrastructure of the eyespot and its possible significance in phototaxis ofTetracystis excentrica. — J. Protozool.14, 529–539.
Bell, P. R., 1978: A microtubule-nuclear envelope complex in the spermatozoid ofPteridium. — J. Cell. Sci.29, 189–195.
Birkbeck, T. E., Stewart, K. D., Mattox, K. R., 1974: The cytology and classification ofSchizomeris leibleinii (Chlorophyceae). II. The structure of quadriflagellate zoospores. — Phycologia13, 71–79.
Birkbeck, T. E., Jr., 1976: Variation of the flagellar apparatuses within the genusChlamydomonas. — J. Phycol.12, Suppl. 24.
Brown, D. L., Bouck, G. B., 1973: Microtubule biogenesis and cell shape inOchromonas. II. The role of nucleating sites in shape development. — J. Cell Biol.56, 360–378.
Brown, D. L., Massalski, A., Patenaude, R., 1976: Organization of the flagellar apparatus and associated cytoplasmic microtubules in the quadriflagellate algaPolytomella agilis. — J. Cell Biol.69, 106–125.
Brown, R. M., Jr.,Bold, H. C., 1964: Phycological Studies V. Comparative studies of the algal generaTetracystis andChlorococcum. — Univ. of Texas Public. No.6417, Austin, Texas.
Ettl, H., Manton, I., 1964: Die feinere Struktur vonPedinomonas minor Korschikoff. — Nova Hedwigia8, 421–451.
Eyden, B. P., 1975: Light and electron microscope study ofDunaliella primolecta Butcher (Volvocida). — J. Protozool.22, 336–344.
Goodenough, U. W., Weiss, R. L., 1978: Interrelationships between microtubules, a striated fiber, and the gametic mating structure ofChlamydomonas reinhardi. — J. Cell Biol.76, 430–438.
Groover, R. D., Bold, H. C., 1969: Phycological studies VIII. The taxonomy and comparative physiology of theChlorosarcinales and certain other edaphic algae. — Univ. Texas Publ. No.6907, 1–165.
Gruber, H. E., Rosario, B., 1977: Ultrastructural variations in the flagellar apparatus ofChlamydomonas reinhardi (ac-31). — J. Submicr. Cytol.9, 103–113.
Haupt, W., 1966: Phototaxis in plants. — Intern. Rev. Cyt.19, 267–299. New York: Acad. Press.
Herndon, W. R., 1958: Studies on chlorosphaeracean algae from soil. — Amer. J. Bot.45, 298–308.
Hobbs, M. J., 1971: The fine structure ofEudorina illinoiensis (Kofoid)Pascher. — Br. Phycol. J.6, 81–103.
Hoffman, L. R., 1976: Fine structure ofCylindrocapsa zoospores. — Protoplasma87, 191–219.
Hori, T., 1977: Electron microscope observations on the flagellar apparatus ofBryopsis maxima (Chlorophyceae). — J. Phycol.13, 238–243.
Hyams, J., Chasey, D., 1974: Aspects of the flagellar apparatus and associated microtubules in a marine alga. — Exp. Cell Res.84, 381–387.
Kristiansen, J., Walne, P. L., 1977: Fine structure of photo-kinetic systems inDinobryon cylindricum var.alpinum (Chrysophyceae). — Br. Phycol. J.12, 329–341.
Lange, L., Olson, L. W., 1977: The zoospore ofPhlyctochytrium aestuarii. — Protoplasma93, 27–43.
Lembi, C. A., 1975: The fine structure of the flagellar apparatus ofCarteria. — J. Phycol.11, 1–9.
Lembi, C. A., Walne, P. L., 1969: Interconnections between cytoplasmic microtubules and basal bodies of tetrasporalean pseudocilia. — J. Phycol.5, 202–205.
Manton, I., 1964: Observations on the fine structure of the zoospore and young germling ofStigeoclonium. — J. Exp. Bot.15, 399–411.
Manton, I., 1965: Some phyletic implications of flagellar structure in plants. — Advan. Botan. Res.2, 1–34.
Manton, I., Clarke, B., Greenwood, A. D., 1955: Observations with the electron microscope on biciliate and quadriciliate zoospores in green algae. — J. Exp. Bot.6, 126–128.
Marchant, H. J., 1974a: Mitosis, cytokinesis and colony formation in the green algaSorastrum. — J. Phycol.10, 107–120.
Marchant, H. J., 1974b: Mitosis, cytokinesis and colony formation inPediastrum boryanum. — Ann. Bot.38, 883–888.
Melkonian, M., 1975: The fine structure of the zoospores ofFritschiella tuberosa Iyeng. (Chaetophorineae, Chlorophyceae) with special reference to the flagellar apparatus. — Protoplasma86, 391–404.
Melkonian, M., 1977: The flagellar root system of zoospores of the green algaChlorosarcinopsis (Chlorosarcinales) as compared withChlamydomonas (Volvocales). — Pl. Syst. Evol.128, 79–88.
Moestrup, O., 1972: Observations on the fine structure of spermatozoids and vegetative cells of the green algaGolenkinia. — Br. Phycol. J.7, 169–183.
Moestrup, O., 1975: Some aspects of sexual reproduction in eucaryotic algae. InDuckett, J. G., Racey, P. A. (Eds.): The biology of the male gamete. — Acad. Press London, 23–34.
Moestrup, O., Hoffman, L. R., 1975: A study of the spermatozoids ofDichotomosiphon tuberosus (Chlorophyceae). — J. Phycol.11, 225–235.
Myles, D. G., Southworth, D., Hepler, P. K., 1978: A freeze-fracture study of the nuclear envelope during spermiogenesis inMarsilea. Formation of a pore-free zone associated with the microtubule ribbon. — Protoplasma93, 419–432.
Olson, L. W., Kochert, G., 1970: Ultrastructure ofVolvox carteri II. The kinetosome. — Arch. Mikrobiol.74, 31–40.
Pickett-Heaps, J. D., 1975a: Green Algae. Structure, reproduction and evolution in selected genera. Sunderland, Mass., Sinauer Ass.
Pickett-Heaps, J. D., 1975b: Structural and phylogenetic aspects of microtubular systems in gametes and zoospores of certain green algae. InDuckett, J. G., Racey, P. A. (Eds.): The biology of the male gamete; p. 37–44. — London: Academic Press.
Ramus, J., 1972: The production of extracellular polysaccharide by the unicellular red algaPorphyridium aerugineum. — J. Phycol.8, 97–111.
Ringo, D. L., 1967: Flagellar motion and fine structure of the flagellar apparatus inChlamydomonas. — J. Cell Biol.33, 543–571.
Roberts, K., Gurney-Smith, M., Hills, G. J., 1972: Structure, composition and morphogenesis of the cell wall ofChlamydomonas reinhardi. — J. Ultrastruct. Res.40, 599–613.
Schletz, K., Phototaxis beiVolvox — Pigmentsysteme der Lichtrichtungsperzeption. — Z. Pflanzenphysiol.77, 189–211.
Starr, R. C., 1955: A comparative study ofChlorococcum Meneghini and other spherical zoospore-producing genera of theChlorococcales. — Bloomington: Indiana Univ. Press.
Stearns, M. E., Conolly, J. A., Brown, D. L., 1976: Cytoplasmic microtubule organizing centers isolated fromPolytomella agilis. — Science (Wash.)191, 188–191.
Stewart, K. D., Mattox, K. R., 1975: Comparative cytology, evolution and classification of the green algae with some consideration of the origin of other organisms with chlorophylls a and b. — Bot. Rev.41, 104–135.
Walne, P. L., Arnott, H. J., 1967: The comparative ultrastructure and possible function of eyespots:Euglena granulata andChlamydomonas eugametos. — Planta (Berl.)77, 325–353.
Watson, M. W., 1975: Flagellar apparatus, eyespot and behavior ofMicrothamnion kuetzingianum (Chlorophyceae) zoospores. — J. Phycol.11, 439–448.
Wujek, D. E., Chelune, P., 1975: The taxonomic position ofChaetopeltis. — Br. Phycol. J.10, 265–268.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
First contribution of a series.
This work was carried out at the Institut für Allgemeine Botanik, Universität Hamburg.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Melkonian, M. Structure and significance of cruciate flagellar root systems in green algae: Comparative investigations in species ofChlorosarcinopsis (Chlorosarcinales). Pl Syst Evol 130, 265–292 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00982810
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00982810