3D-reconstructions of zygospores in Zygnema vaginatum (Charophyta) reveal details of cell wall formation, suggesting adaptations to extreme habitats.

ABSTRACT: The streptophyte green algal class Zygnematophyceae is the immediate sister lineage to land plants. Their special form of sexual reproduction via conjugation might have played a key role during terrestrialization. Thus, studying Zygnematophyceae and conjugation is crucial for understanding the conquest of land. Moreover, sexual reproduction features are important for species determination. We present a phylogenetic analysis of a field-sampled Zygnema strain and analyze its conjugation process and zygospore morphology, both at the micro- and nanoscale, including 3D-reconstructions of the zygospore architecture. Vegetative filament size (26.18 ± 1.07 μm) and reproductive features allowed morphological determination of Zygnema vaginatum, which was combined with molecular analyses based on rbc

SUBMITTER: Permann C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10953328 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature