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Discoplastis
Genus of algae From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Discoplastis is a genus of euglenoid algae belonging to the family Phacaceae.[2] The species of this genus are found in Europe, Northern America, Southeastern Asia and Australia.[2]
Discoplastis consists of solitary, free-living cells with one emergent flagellum. The cells have a flexible, spirally striated pellicle and are therefore capable of metaboly. When swimming, the cells are a variety of different but characteristic shapes (cylindrical, fusiform, hourglass-shaped, etc.). The posterior of the cell ends in a pointed, colorless cell. Within each cell there are numerous small, discoid chloroplast lacking pyrenoids. Cells have paramylon grains; the paramylon grains may be monomorphic (all small) or dimorphic (some large, some small).[3] As with other euglenoids, the cell has a reddish eyespot (stigma).[4]
Discoplastis can be distinguished by to the combination of small, discoid parietal chloroplasts without pyrenoids (a synapomorphy for the family Phacaceae), and its flexibility.[5] The similar genus Flexiglena is even more flexible, displaying metabolic movement even when swimming. It is also distinguished by having a large paramylon grain directly adjacent to the stigma.[3]
Molecular phylogenetics suggest the following relationships between species:[3]
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References
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