The downsizing of gigantic scales and large cells in the genus Mallomonas (Synurales, Chrysophyceae).

ABSTRACT: Mallomonas is the largest and most speciose genus within the Synurales, a monophyletic clade of siliceous scale-bearing organisms within the class Chrysophyceae. The genus consists of unicellular, motile, photosynthetic organisms found in freshwater localities worldwide. Mallomonas diverged from other synurophytes during the lower Cretaceous at approximately 130 Ma. Recent discoveries of fossil species were used to examine shifts in scale and cell size over geologic time. On average, scales of fossil species were 2.5 times larger than those produced by modern species. However, a smaller subset of extinct fossil taxa lacking modern analogs had scales over four times larger than modern species, and the largest recorded specimens were six times larger. Data from modern species were further us

SUBMITTER: Siver PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8941141 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature