Spirogyra

How to control and get rid of green hair algae is a common issue that should be against by some aquarists. This group has four genera, including One member under this category can grow to reach about 20 cm, even though there is a species that only get a couple of millimeters. Most of them commonly have a light green color and turn brown when they die. If left untreated, they will grow quickly and take over your tank only for a few weeks or even days. These algae will bring many issues, not only for plants and fish but also for the equipment (for example, clogging the filters or pumps and crashing the nitrogen cycle). In this article, we just focused on discussing spirogyra algae, so you will know deeper about them, starting from their characteristics, what causes them, and the main point is how to avoid and remove them from the aquarium. TABLE OF CONTENTS • • • • • • What Is Spirogyra Algae? Spirogyra algae are a member of the most common freshwater unicellular green filamentous algae group that grows in long and colonies, making them seem to be multicellular under the family of Zygnemataceae. These algae have some common names as their alternative identity, and it’s more popular which accepted by universal, including water silk, pond scum, pond silk, mermaid’s tresses, mermaid hair, and blanket weed. They have more than different 400 species that are distributed to all regions in the world, primarily found in freshwater habitats, but some of them can live in a brackish en...

Charophyceae / Conjugate_Non-Desmids / Spirogyra Click on images for larger format Name derivation: Classification: Spirogyra Link 1820; 509 of 651 species descriptions are currently accepted taxonomically (Guiry and Guiry 2013). Class Conjugatophyceae ; Order Zygnematales Moved from the less-advanced green Chlorophyceae. Molecular sequence: Based on 26 strains of Spirogyra and 7 strains of Sirogonium, large subunit of RUBISCO ( rbcL) sequence strongly supports monophyly of both genera. All species descriptions of Spirogyra are in a single clade except S. maxima that falls within the Sirogonium clade (Drummond et al. 2005). Morphology: The spiral chloroplas t is the defining characteristic of this species. It grows to form slimy filamentous masses of algae. It is capable of reproducing both sexually and asexually. A filament may fragment into smaller pieces, each one capable of forming new cells. During sexual reproduction two cells align with each other and form conjugation tubes which connect the two cells and allow for the exchange of genetic material . Similar genera: Two related non- desmid conjugating characeans are Zygnema that has two stellate chloroplasts, and Mougeotia with flat rectangular chloroplasts. Conjugation: The most easily recognizable genus in the class Zygnemaceae with its spirally coiled chloroplasts is known for its unique sexual reproduction. Stresses from the environment, including pH change, temperature change, or desiccation can induce Spirogyra...

Spirogyra are a threadlike microscopic genus of green alga that are known for their helical shape of chloroplasts. These DNA-resembling algae are found in freshwater environments with over 400 species known in existence today. They can range anywhere from 10 to 100 micrometers wide and several centimeters long and are typically found in freshwater environments like shallow ponds and at the edges of lakes. It’s easily forgotten that algae like Spirogyra are living creatures just like you and I that require energy and can reproduce sexually. Spirogyra are visually magnificent to look at under a microscope but understanding their characteristics, structure, classification will help you appreciate these algae even more when you observe them. How Are Spirogyra Classified? Animals and other living organisms are biologically classified based on a ranked system of structurally or phylogenetically related species. Animals are most broadly classified by the Domain. The classification system can further be broken down into (in order) by Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, and Species. Spirogyra are a genus comprised of over 400 species. Let’s look at how the Spirogyra and classified and examine characteristics that make them unique: • Domain: Eukaryote – Any cell or organism that has a defined nucleus and surrounding nuclear membrane can be described as a • Kingdom: Plantae – Mainly a group of multicellular photosynthetic eukaryotes, meaning they can turn light into chemica...

Spirogyra is also known as pond silk, as its filaments shine like silk due to the presence of mucilage. The outer cell wall has pectin which dissolves continuously, thereby producing the mucilage. Spirogyra filaments are slippery and float in large masses. Spirogyra is a genus of green algae that belong to the order Zygnematales. These free-flowing, filamentous algae are characterized by ribbon-shaped chloroplasts that are arranged in a helical manner inside the cells. So the name is derived from the spiral arrangement of chloroplasts in these algae. This feature is unique to this genus, which has around 400 species. Spirogyra – Parts and Structure Spirogyra has long, unbranched filaments with cylindrical cells that are connected end to end. The cell wall is made up of an outer layer of pectin and an inner layer of cellulose. The inner surface of the cell wall is lined with a thin layer of cytoplasm. The spiraled ribbon-shaped chloroplasts are embedded in this cytoplasm layer. The number of chloroplast strands in each cell may vary between 1 to 16. Each chloroplast strand has several round bodies called ‘pyrenoids’, which are responsible for starch production. Each cell has a central vacuole, and a prominent nucleus that is suspended by thin strands of cytoplasm that are attached to the inner part of the cell wall. The cells are long and thin, and each spirogyra filament measures between 10 to 100 micrometer in width. Sometimes, these filaments develop root-like structures...

Spirogyra. It sounds like a gymnastics move: Get ready, she's about to do two backflips followed by a Spirogyra. Okay, so you're right, Spirogyra isn't a gymnastics move. It's actually a tiny critter that belongs in the protist kingdom, which is a group of diverse single-celled organisms. In fact, the kingdom is so diverse that scientists often describe it as the group of critters that did not fit into any other kingdom. Think of it as the misfit kingdom! Now, some members of this misfit kingdom can make their own food, like plants; some are more animal-like, and some even have characteristics of plants and animals! Now that you have some background on what Spirogyra are, let's talk about how they move. Because they undergo photosynthesis, Spirogyra need to be able to get themselves into the light and, unlike other protists, they don't have a tail or tiny hairs to propel them through the water. Most of the time, you can observe Spirogyra floating on the surface of the water. So, how in the world do these little buggers get there? Spirogyra encompasses about 400 species of green algae belonging to the kingdom of misfits, or the protists. They get their name because the chloroplasts spiral inside of the cells. Spirogyra form long filaments, and it's the bending and curving of these filaments that allow these protists to move, albeit slowly, to orient themselves towards light. And remember, they need light because they undergo photosynthesis. So, maybe the gymnastic world sho...

\( \newcommand\): Trentepohlia is a genus of green algae that is found in terrestrial environments. It forms fluffy orange colonies on trees and is a photobiont in many lichens. One might not know they were looking at a green algae, due to the orange pigmentation. However, green algae have carotenoids. These terrestrial green algae produce an abundance of carotenoids, perhaps for protection from sun damage. Photo by Unicellular Unicellular species will have two whiplash flagella. Figure \(\PageIndex\): Volvox is a genus of unicellular freshwater green algae that form spherical colonies. Each individual beats its flagella to the exterior of the ball-like formation. Within the colony, new colonies can be formed by asexual reproduction. These internal colonies beat their flagella to the interior. When sexual reproduction occurs, a thick-walled, desiccation-resistant zygote forms, as seen in the image on the right. Photos by Maria Morrow, Video \(\PageIndex\): Hydrodictyon reticulatum is another colony-forming species. Individual, unicellular algae form together to create a complex colony structure. These algae are commonly called water nets. Photo by Multicellular Figure \(\PageIndex\): A close up of the sexual structures of a nannandrous Oedogonium sp. The oogonium is located at the end of the filament and, in this case, is almost lemon-shaped. It is unfertilized, still appearing evenly granular throughout. Many small antheridia are reaching up to try to fuse with the oogoni...

Spyro Gyra has long been known to its peers in the contemporary jazz world as a “well oiled road machine” due to its relentless schedule of 48 years of performing. To date, they have logged more than 10,000 shows on six continents and released 35 albums, garnering platinum and gold records along the way. Spyro Gyra rose from humble beginnings in Buffalo, New York in 1974 to their current international prominence in the jazz world. Every year, they continue to exhibit how to remain among a relative handful of artists who will be able to say that they have worked constantly in their 50 year career in the year 2024. Their energy and joy in concert match their unmatched musicality. Born in Brooklyn, bandleader Jay Beckenstein grew up listening to the music of Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins and Dizzy Gillespie, and started playing the saxophone at age seven. Beckenstein attended the University at Buffalo, starting out as a biology major before changing to music performance (read classical and avant garde). During summer breaks, he and an old high school friend, keyboardist Jeremy Wall, played gigs together back on Long Island. Wall attended college in California, and after both graduated, Beckenstein stayed in Buffalo’s thriving music scene, where Wall eventually joined him. “Not many people know it, but Buffalo was like a mini Chicago back then, with a smoking blues, soul, jazz, even rockabilly scene, of all things,” Beckenstein muses. “After being confined to ...