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Name derivation:
“Serpent cells” – Ophio- serpent cytium cell
Classification:
Ophiocytium Nägeli 1849; 17 of 32 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Order Mischococcales; Family Ophiocytiaceae
Morphology:
Cells are cylindrical 9-2500 µm long and 2-27 µm wide, with or without spines, 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. The cell wall is made up of two parts, with the apical portion larger than the distal portion. Chloroplasts (single to numerous) discoid, stellate, ribbon-shaped or H-shaped in optical section, parietal and green, yellow green or blue green. Pyrenoids absent. Zoospores with two unequal flagella, two chloroplasts no stigma, formed in twos or fours in each mother cell. Young cells always uninucleate, becoming multinucleate with age. The cells exist singly or in clusters that sometimes form when multiple zoospores attach and germinate at the distal end of a parent cell.
Similar genera:
Habitat:
Relatively common in freshwater habitats. throughout North America (temperate to arctic) and elsewhere. Can be planktonic but generally epiphytic. Tend to prefer somewhat acidic or neutral water. Often grows in pools with a clay bottom.
References:
Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry 2013. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 12 April 2013. Graham, L., and L. Wilcox 2000. Algae. Prentice-Hall Smith, G. M. 1950. The fresh-water algae of the United States. McGraw-Hill, 2nd ed. Nägeli, C. 1849. Gattungen einzelliger Algen, physiologisch und systematisch bearbeitet. Neue Denkschriften der Allg. Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für die Gesammten Naturwissenschaften 10(7): i-viii, 1-139, pls I-VIII.