Ultrastructure ofCyanoptyche gloeocystis f.dispersa (Glaucocystophyceae)

Abstract

Cyanoptyche gloeocystis f.dispersa (Geitler)Starmach is a palmelloid colonial alga that contains prokaryotic blue-green endocytobionts (cyanelles) instead of chloroplasts. The periphery of the host cell shows a peculiar lacunae system with underlying microtubules. Vegetative cells possess two rudimentary flagella. Zoospores are dorsiventrally shaped with two heterokont and heterodynamic flagella which originate from a subapical depression. This depression can also be seen in vegetative cells. Both flagella possess non-tubular mastigonemes. Main reserve product is starch lying freely in the cytoplasm. Cyanelles, enclosed singly in a host vesicle, are provided with a remnant cell wall. Thylakoids are arranged concentrically. The central part of each cyanelle harbours its DNA and one large polyhedral body, probably a carboxysome.Cyanoptyche gloeocystis f.dispersa shares all taxonomically essential characters with the monadoidCyanophora, the palmelloidGloeochaete, and the coccoidGlaucocystis. All of them are members of the cyanelle-bearing small algal classGlaucocystophyceae. Members of this class serve as model organisms for the evolution of chloroplasts from cyanophycean ancestors.