Anacystis cylindracea N.L.Gardner
-
Authority
Gardner, Nathaniel L. 1927. New Myxophyceae from Porto Rico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 7: 1-144. pl. 1-23.
-
Family
Microcystaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Species Description - Colonies spherical, up to 125 µ diam., free; cells up to 64 in a colony, widely separated, cylindrical with rounded ends, bright blue-green, homogeneous, 6-7.5 µ diam., 10-14 µ long; resting spores of the same shape as the cells, but slightly enlarged and surrounded by a thin, smooth, hyaline, membranaceous wall; tegument opalescent, ample (8-12 µ thick), homogeneous throughout the colony; spores sometimes germinate in the mother utricle, or tegument.
Distribution and Ecology - Growing among the Myxophyceae on rocks, between Utuado and Ad juntas, no. 1640 a, type.
-
Discussion
PLATE 3, FIGURE 35
The majority of the species of Anacystis have either spherical cells or cells which are more or less irregular and angular. A. cylindracea departs from the rule as to the form of the cells, but conforms to the typical species in its life cycle. Starting from a single cell the mature colony is built up by cell divisions after the usual manner, the resulting cells having no visible differentiated membrane, but all are embedded within a common, homogeneous, more or less gelatinous matrix or tegument. At maturity the cells develop a thin, firm, membranaceous, smooth, hyaline wall, becoming resting spores of the typical sort. At this stage it may depart from the usual procedure. The resting spores germinate in position before the dissolution of the parent utricle. A new gelatinous matrix, or tegument, is laid down within the membranaceous wall. The cells then have the appearance of certain species of Gloeothece with the usual special, or individual tegument. Sooner or later these young colonies are liberated and the new life cycle continues independently.