1 Record

Status

Zygnema collinsianum is one of several microscopic species of Zygnema in Eastern North America. The species cannot be identified without microscopic examination of mature zygospores.

The species is named for Frank S. Collins who made many contributions to phycology, particularly the study of green algae in Eastern North America.

Description

Zygnema collinsianum forms long, multicellular filaments with smooth walls and star-shaped (asteroid) chloroplasts. Conjugation is scalariform with the zygospore generally developing in the receptive gametangium. The receptive gametangium is typically inflated towards the conjugation tube. The zygospore is spheroid to compressed spheroid. The mesospore wall is blue and has relatively large (4-5 um) scrobiculations. Aplanospores may also be present.

Where To Find

This species can be found in freshwater habitats.