Summary
The fine structure of the quadriflagellate zoospore ofFritschiella tuberosa Iyeng. (Chlorophyceae) is investigated. The zoospores have a typical ulotrichacean morphology, the flagellar apparatus has been examined in detail and is compared with that found in other filamentous green algae.
The basal bodies are joined together as two pairs in a mirror image relation. The four cruciately arranged flagellar roots are of two types: a two-stranded microtubular root with an associated striated fibril, and a multi-membered microtubular root with a maximum number of 7 to 8 tubules, the number and arrangement of tubules changing in different parts of the cell.
The eye-spot is closely associated with one of the multi-membered roots. The arrangement of root tubules is altered when approaching the eye-spot. The possible functional significance is briefly discussed.
At the flagellar tip the peripheral tubules probably prolong beyond the central tubules, their number decreasing to at least 4 single tubules.
The striking similarities of zoospores ofFritschiella andStigeoclonium suggest that despite its highly developed thallusFritschiella is closely related to the generaStigeoclonium andDraparnaldia usually placed in the familyChaetophoraceae.
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Melkonian, M. The fine structure of the zoospores ofFritschiella tuberosa Iyeng.(Chaetophorineae, Chlorophyceae) with special reference to the flagellar apparatus. Protoplasma 86, 391–404 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01287488
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01287488