Ecology, cytology and phylogeny of the snow alga <i>Scotiella cryophila</i> K-1 (Chlamydomonadales, Chlorophyta) from the Austrian Alps.

ABSTRACT: Long-lasting, slowly melting snowfields in mountainous regions are frequently populated by specialised microalgae whose diversity is still vastly underestimated. Cysts causing sub-surficial green snow were collected in the Austrian Alps, Tyrol, and morphologically accorded to the snow alga Scotiella cryophila sensu Chodat, initially described from Switzerland. The cytology and photobiology of this population were investigated to understand mechanisms of adaptation to the harsh habitat. Cysts of S. cryophila K-1 had secondary cell walls with pronounced rib-like surface structures and contained several small spherical plastids. The cytoplasm was dominated by lipid bodies, which developed reddish secondary pigmentation. Partial life cycle observations showed that daughter cells

SUBMITTER: Remias D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6469580 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature