Summary
The structure and development of the elaborate scale case ofMallomonas adamas (Synurophyceae) was studied throughout the cell cycle. Immediately following division, scale cases normally possess 30 siliceous scales, or 5 rows of 6 scales each. Scale rows overlap one another and spiral around the cell in a clockwise direction when viewed from either end of the cell. Throughout interphase, a duplicate set of 30 scales is manufactured and secreted into the existing scale case in a precise sequence, resulting in a scale case with 60 scales, or 5 rows of 12 scales each. Scales are not added to the scale case in rows, but individually positioned within the cytoplasm and inserted one at a time over the entire surface of the cell. Scales appear to occupy specific positions in the scale case. Scale cases are dynamic cell coverings, their elaborate patterning being maintained throughout cell growth and during division when half the parental scales are inherited by each daughter cell.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andersen RA (1987) Synurophyceae classis nov., as new class of algae. Amer J Bot 74: 337–353
Asmund B, Kristiansen J (1986) The genusMallomonas (Chrysophyceae). Op Bot 85: 1–128
Beech PL, Wetherbee R, Pickett-Heaps JD (1990) Secretion and deployment of bristles inMallomonas splendens (Synurophyceae). J Phycol 26: 112–122
Brugerolle G, Bricheux G (1984) Actin microfilaments are involved in scale formation of the chrysomonad cellSynura. Protoplasma 123: 203–212
Cohn SA, Spurck TP, Pickett-Heaps JD, Edgar LA (1989) Perizonium and initial valve formation in the diatomNavicula cuspidata (Bacillariophyceae). J Phycol 25: 15–26
Leadbeater BSC (1986) Scale case construction inSynura petersenii Korsch. (Chrysophyceae). In: Kristiansen J, Andersen RA (eds) Chrysophytes: aspects and problems. Cambridge University, Cambridge, pp 121–132
— (1990) Ultrastructure and assembly of the scale case inSynura (Synurophyceae Andersen). Br Phycol J 25: 117–132
— —, Green JC (1993) Cell coverings of microalgae. In: Berner T (ed) Ultrastructure of microalgae. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 71–98
Mignot J-P, Brugerolle G (1982) Scale formation in chrysomonad flagellates. J Ultrastruct Res 81: 13–26
Schnepf E, Deichgräber G (1969) Über die Feinstruktur vonSynura petersenii unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Morphogenese ihrer Kieselschuppen. Protoplasma 68: 85–97
Siver PA (1991) The biology ofMallomonas: morphology, taxonomy and ecology. Kluwer, Dordrecht
—, Glew JR (1990) The arrangement of scales and bristles onMallomonas (Chrysophyceae): a proposed mechanism for the formation of the cell covering. Can J Bot 68: 374–380
Takahashi E (1978) Electron microscopical studies of the Synuraceae (Chrysophyceae) in Japan, taxonomy and ecology. Tokai University Press, Tokyo
Wee JL (1982) Studies on the Synuraceae (Chrysophyceae) of Iowa. Bibl Phycol 62: 1–183
Wetherbee R, Koutoulis A, Beech PL (1989) The role of the cytoskeleton during the assembly, secretion and deployment of scales and spines. In: Coleman, AW, Goff LJ, Stein-Taylor JR (eds) Algae as experimental systems. AR Liss, New York, pp 93–108
— —, Andersen RA (1992) The microarchitecture of the chrysophycean cytoskeleton. In: Menzel D (ed) The cytoskeleton of the algae. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 1–17
Wujek DE, Kristiansen J (1978) Observations on bristle- and scale-production inMallomonas caudata (Chrysophyceae). Arch Protistenk 120: 213–221
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lavau, S., Wetherbee, R. Structure and development of the scale case ofMallomonas adamas (Synurophyceae). Protoplasma 181, 259–268 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666400
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666400