Tetraedron

Tetraedron
Scientific classification
Clade:	Viridiplantae
Division:	Chlorophyta
Class:	Chlorophyceae
Order:	Sphaeropleales
Family:	Hydrodictyaceae
Genus:	Tetraedron; Kützing, 1845
Type species
	Tetraedron caudatum;
Species
	See text

Tetraedron is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It may also be spelled as Tetraëdron.^[1]

Description

Tetraedron consists of single, free-floating cells, making them phytoplankton. They are flattened, triangular, quadrangular, or irregularly polygonal in shape; old cells are nearly spherical. The cell wall is finely granulated when viewed with a light microscope. Cells contain a single nucleus and a single chloroplast which fills the cell; the chloroplast has a single pyrenoid with a starch sheath.^[1]

Tetraedron reproduces asexually by autospores; two, four, or eight autospores are formed in the mother cell and are released by rupture of the parent cell wall. Zoospores and sexual reproduction are unknown.^[1]

Taxonomy

Tetraedron is currently placed in the family Hydrodictyaceae.^[1] Many species have been placed in this genera, on the basis of their polygonal shapes; however, many have been transferred to other genera. Among the green algae, the genus Chlorotetraedron appears similar, but differs from Tetraedron in its ability to produce zoospores.^[2]

Many species formerly included within the genus Tetraedron are now understood to be xanthophyte or eustigmatophyte algae, groups which are unrelated to Tetraedron. Segregate genera include Pseudostaurastrum, Goniochloris, Isthmochloron, Tetraedriella, Tetraplektron, and others.^[3]

Most species of Tetraedron are poorly characterized; only a few are well-defined.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Tetraedron". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
^ Hegewald, Eberhard; Hepperle, Dominik; Wolf, Matthias; Krienitz, Lothar (2001). "Phylogenetic placement of Chlorotetraedron incus, C. Polymorphum and Polyedriopsis spinulosa (Neochloridaceae, Chlorophyta)". Phycologia. 40 (5): 399–402. doi:10.2216/i0031-8884-40-5-399.1. S2CID 86526376.
^ Komárek, J.; Fott, B. (1983). Chlorophyceae (Grünalgen), Ordnung Chlorococcales. Das Phytoplankton des Süßwassers (in German). E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. p. 1044.

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[Algaebase-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Tetraedron". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2023-05-23.

[2] Hegewald, Eberhard; Hepperle, Dominik; Wolf, Matthias; Krienitz, Lothar (2001). "Phylogenetic placement of Chlorotetraedron incus, C. Polymorphum and Polyedriopsis spinulosa (Neochloridaceae, Chlorophyta)". Phycologia. 40 (5): 399–402. doi:10.2216/i0031-8884-40-5-399.1. S2CID 86526376.

[3] Komárek, J.; Fott, B. (1983). Chlorophyceae (Grünalgen), Ordnung Chlorococcales. Das Phytoplankton des Süßwassers (in German). E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. p. 1044.

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