Silica-scaled Chrysophytes - Flagellates in Glass Armour

Neustupa J.

Chrysophytes are single-celled, colonial or filamentous autotrophic organisms belonging to the algal division Chromophyta. Chrysophytes usually have the highest species biodiversity in colder stagnant oligotrophic waters. Species able to form siliceous scales, the structure of which is generally complicated and not random, are among the most interesting Chrysophytes. About 52 species of Chrysophytes with siliceous scales (mainly members of the genera Mallomonas and Synura) have so far been discoveredin the Czech Republic.

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