Wikis an der CAU

Type: UG-1231

Category: Algae

Taxonomical identification: Botryococcus cf. neglectus

First publication: Gelorini, V., Verbeken, A., van Geel, B., Cocqyt, C. and Vershuren, D. (2011) Modern non-pollen palynomorphs from East African lake sediments. Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology 164, 143–173

Other publication/s:
Komárek, J., Marvan, P. (1992) Morphological differences in natural populations of the genus Botryococcus (Chlorophyceae). Archiv für Protistenkunde 141, 65–100
Jankovská, V. and Komárek, J. (2000) Indicative value of Pediastrum and other coccal green algae in palaeoecology. Folia Geobotanica 35, 59–82

Description: Colonies (cells are arranged in a three-dimensional structure) yellow-brown to brown with irregularly sculpted surface, composed of sub-colonies (25–50 μm) connected by very short and thin undulating strings; Cells (2 μm) obovoid, usually radially stacked up to a layer of larger (9 μm) and modified peripheral cells. Peripheral cells slightly distant one from another. This species of green alga (Chlorophyceae, Chlorococcales) strongly resembles Botryococcus neglectus. However, the colonies and individual cells of this East African morphotype are more regularly arranged, which suggests it is a distinct B. neglectus variety or a Botryococcus species with more tropical ecological requirements.

(Sub-) Fossil occurence: No information

Co-occurence: No information

Modern occurence: Botryococcus neglectus is characteristic for small oligotrophic and mesotrophic aquatic environments in more temperate regions (Komárek and Marvan, 1992). The genus Botryococcus is widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions, but the taxonomic classification of the species within the genus is still open for revision (Jankovská and Komárek, 2000).

Palaeoenvironmental indication: No information