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Name derivation:
Classification:
Bumillaria Borzi, 1889; 5 of 6 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2014). Order Tribonematales; Family Tribonemataceae
Morphology:
Cells are cylindrical, but unlike Tribonema, are never barrel-shaped and only up to twice as long as they are wide. The cells form unbranched filaments. Each cell contains two to eight discoid chromatophores.
Flagellar Apparatus:
With transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the three-dimensional structure of the flagellar apparatus of Bumillaria and other members of the genus Tribonema was investigated. The structure includes a counterclockwise displacement of basal bodies, two different connective fiber types, a microtubular and striated root system, and the emergence of an extensive cytoskeletal mictotubular system from the arching rootlet. (Lokhorst and Star, 2003)
Inhibition of Photosynthetic Activity:
In a study of the effects of bisulfite-sulfite and nitrile on the photosynthetic activity of various algae, it was found that these solubility products of SO2 and NO2 inhibited photosynthetic activity of the yellow-green algae Bumilleria. In a 0.10 mM HSO3^-/SO3^2- solution, Bumilleria exilis photosynthesis was inhibited 33%, while in a 1.0 mM NO2^- solution it was inhibited by 11% (Wodzinski et al. 1977)
Evolution:
Based on the examination of plastid and nuclear 18S rRNA of Xanthophyceae, it has been found that coccoid and filamentous species possessing bipartite cell walls, such as Bumilleria, form a distinct and previously unrecognized lineage within the class and do not form monophyletic orders between the Mischococcales (cocccoid) and Tribonematales (filamentous) – the order to which Bumilleria belong. (Bailey et al. 2000)
Similar genera:
Habitat:
Usually grows in pools with a clay bottom.
References:
Bailey, J. C., A. L. McElhinney, R. A. Andersen 2000. Molecular systematics of the Xanthophyceae. Journal of Phycology 36(3). Graham L. and Wilcox L. 2000. Algae. Prentice-Hall Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2014. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 30 May 2014. Lokhorst, R. M., W. Star 2003. The flagellar apparatus in Tribonema (Xanthophyceae) reinvestigated. Phycologonia. 42(3): 31-34 Smith G. M. 1950. The fresh-water algae of the United States. McGraw-Hill, 2nd ed. Wodzinski, R. S., D. P. Labeda, M. Alexander 1977. Effects of Low Concentrations of Bisulfite-sulfite and Nitrile on Microorganisms. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 35(4): 718-723.