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Cylindrocapsa

Cylindrocapsa is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Chlorophyceae. It is commonly found in freshwater habitats.

Last revised
Jun 8, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
239 w
Citations
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Source
Cylindrocapsa
Cylindrocapsa involuta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Cylindrocapsaceae
Genus: Cylindrocapsa
Reinsch1
Type species
Cylindrocapsa involuta
Reinsch1
Species
  • C. involuta
  • C. geminella

Cylindrocapsa is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Chlorophyceae.1 It is commonly found in freshwater habitats.2

Virus-like particles have been found in a strain of one species, Cylindrocapsa geminella.3

Description

Cylindrocapsa consists of unbranched filaments, often attached to substrates or free-floating in water. Cells are initially uniseriate (that is, in one line), but may later become multi-seriate or irregularly arranged. Individual cells are ovoid to oblong to spherical, and are each surrounded by several concentric layers of a mucilaginous sheath. Cells contain a single chloroplast filling the cell, with a single pyrenoid. The chloroplast may be axial (in the middle of the cell) or parietal (lining the wall of the cell).2

Taxonomy

The placement of Cylindrocapsa is unclear. Species differ significantly from each other, both in terms of morphology and ultrastructure.2 It is therefore suspected to be polyphyletic.1

References

References

  1. Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Cylindrocapsa". AlgaeBase. University of Galway. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  2. John, David M.; Rindi, Fabio (2014). "Chapter 8. Filamentous (Nonconjugating) and Plantlike Green Algae". In Wehr, John D.; Sheath, Robert G.; Kociolek, J. Patrick (eds.). Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification (2 ed.). Elsevier Inc. ISBN 978-0-12-385876-4.
  3. Hoffman, Larry R.; Stanker, Larry H. (1976). "Virus-like particles in the green alga Cylindrocapsa". Canadian Journal of Botany. 54 (24): 2827–2841. doi:10.1139/b76-303.