Ultrastructural observations of vegetative cells of two new genera in the Erythropeltidales (Compsopogonophyceae, Rhodophyta): Pseudoerythrocladia and Madagascaria

doi:2010.25.1.11

Algae > Volume 25(1); 2010 > Article

Algae 2010;25(1): 11-15. doi: https://doi.org/10.4490/algae.2010.25.1.011

Joseph L. Scott¹, Evguenia Orlova¹ and John A. West²^,*

¹Department of Biology, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA 23187, USA
²School of Botany, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia

ABSTRACT

Two new genera of red algae, Madagascaria erythrocladioides West et Zuccarello and Pseudoerythrocladia kornmannii West et Kikuchi (Erythropeltidales, Compsopogonophyceae, Rhodophyta), were previously described using molecular analysis and confocal microscopy of isolates in laboratory culture. We examined the ultrastructure of both genera to compare with ultrastructure of other members of the class Compsopogonophyceae. Both genera had Golgi bodies not associated with mitochondria and chloroplasts with a peripheral encircling thylakoid similar to all other members of the class studied thus far. Confocal autofluorescence images showed that Madagascaria has a single round central pyrenoid while Pseudoerythrocladia has no pyrenoid. Our electron microscopic work confirms these initial observations. Tables and keys are presented that assist in interpreting cellular details of genera in the class Compsopogonophyceae.

Key words: chloroplasts; Compsopogononophyceae; Erythropeltidales; Golgi; pyrenoids; ultrastructure