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Morphology and evolution of sexual reproduction in the Volvocaceae (Chlorophyta)

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Abstract

Morphological features of sexual reproduction in the Volvocaceae are reviewed, focusing particularly on gametic union and zygote gemination. Both of the two conjugating gametes of the isogamous generaPandorina, Volvulina andYamagishiella bear a tubular mating structure (mating papilla), and plasmogamy is initiated by union of the papillae tips. On zygote germination, a single biflagellate gone cell is released from the zygote wall. Although all the anisogamous and oogamous genera of the Volvocaceae produce “sperm packets” during gametogenesis and a single gone cell at zygote germination, some difference can be recognized in the male gametes. The male gametes ofEudorina bear a tubular cytoplasmic protuberance (putative mating papllla) near the base of the flagella, whereas such a structure recognized at the light microscopic level is not evident inPleodorina andVolvox. Evolution of the sexual reproduction characteristics of volvocacean algae is discussed on the basis of recent cladistic analysis of morphological data as well as of the ribosomal (r) RNA phylogeny and large subunit of the ribulose-1, 5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase(rbcL) gene trees.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, 113, Tokyo, Japan

    Hisayoshi Nozaki

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  1. Hisayoshi Nozaki
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Dedicated to Emeritus Prof. Hideo Kasaki (Tokyo Metropolitan University) on the occasion of his 77th birthday.

Recipient of the Botanical Society Award for Young Scientists, 1994.

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Nozaki, H. Morphology and evolution of sexual reproduction in the Volvocaceae (Chlorophyta). J. Plant Res. 109, 353–361 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02344484

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02344484

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