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Electronic Flora of South Australia Species Fact Sheet
Phylum Chlorophyta – Order Prasiolales
Selected citations: Edwards 1975: 291. Friedmann 1959: 571, pls 1–4; 1969: 203. Hamel 1930: 17, fig. 4. Kornmann & Sahling 1977: 82, fig. 40. Taylor 1957: 75, pl. 1 figs 4–7.
Thallus (Fig. 52A) dark green, in masses on rock within bird colonies, individual thalli single to clustered in small tufts, (1–) 2–4 mm high, with a basal holdfast and slender stipe expanding gradually or suddenly to a lanceolate, flabellate or irregularly reniform blade, with the margin often ruffled. Growth from elongate marginal cells (Fig. 52B), with cell divisions resulting in blocks of cells (Fig. 52C), with the cells in lines in both directions. Cells square to oblong in surface view, 5–19 µm long and 3–6 µm broad, often in groups of four; chloroplast somewhat stellate (though often occupying most of the cell) with a central pyrenoid.
Reproduction: Reproduction (Friedmann 1959) as for the genus.
Type from Hibernia (Ireland).
Distribution: Cold temperate N. Atlantic on both European and N. American coasts, from the upper intertidal region and above, often associated with bird colonies; Chile (Levring 1960, p. 10); New Zealand (Chapman 1956, p. 432, fig. 84).
In southern Australia, known from Lawrence Rock, Portland, Vic., approximately 30 m from sea (Beauglehole, 13.i.1954; ADU, A20486). Granite I., Corner Inlet (Port Welshpool), Vic., in bird colony (Gillham, 27.i.1959; ADU, A22606). Three Sisters I., Ulverstone, Tas., in gull colony (Gillham, 28.ii.1959; ADU, A22607).
Taxonomic notes: The above specimens, though only 1–4 mm in height, agree well in habit and cell details with the N. Atlantic P. stipitata, which has also been recorded from Chile and New Zealand.
References:
CHAPMAN, V.J. (1956). The marine algae of New Zealand. Part I. Myxophyceae and Chlorophyceae. J. Linn. Soc. Bot. 55 (360), 333–501, Plates 24–50.
EDWARDS, P. (1975). Evidence for a relationship between the genera Rosenvingiella and Prasiola (Chlorophyta). Br. phycol. J. 10, 291–297.
FRIEDMANN, I. (1959). Structure, life-history, and sex determination of Prasiola stipitata Suhr. Ann. Bot. N.S. 23, 571–594, Plates 1–4.
FRIEDMANN, I. (1969). Geographic and environmental factors controlling life history and morphology in Prasiola stipitata Suhr. Osterr. Bot. Z. 116, 203–225.
HAMEL, G. (1930). Chlorophycées des côtes francaises. (Paris.)
KORNMANN, P. & SAHLING, P.-H. (1977). Meeresalgen von Helgoländ. Benthische Grun-Braun-und Rotalgen. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 29, 1–292.
LEVRING, T. (1960). Contributions to the marine algal flora of Chile. Acta Univ. lund. N.F. Avd. 2, 56(10), 1–85.
TAYLOR, W.R. (1957). Marine algae of the Northeastern Coast of North America. Rev. Edn. (Univ. Mich. Press: Ann Arbor.)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia Part I complete list of references.
Publication:
Womersley, H.B.S. (31 May, 1984)
The Marine Benthic Flora of Southern Australia
Part I
©Board of the Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, Government of South Australia
Illustration in Womersley Part I, 1984: FIG. 52 A–C.
Figure 52 enlarge
Fig. 52. A–C. Prasiola stipitata. A. Holdfast with several stipitate blades (ADU, A20486). B. Cells near margin (ADU, A22607). C. Cells within margin of thallus (ADU, A22607). D–F. Prasiola crispa (ADU, A53837). D. Habit, with slight basal attachment. E. Cells near margin. F. Cells in older part of thallus. G.H. Rosenvingiella polyrhiza (ADU, A5769). G. Largely uniseriate filament with rhizoids. H. Older multiseriate part of thallus.
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