Kirchneriella irregularis
(G.M. Smith) Korshikov, 1953
Most likely ID: n.a.
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Synonym: Kirchneriella lunaris var. irregularis, Kirchneria irregularis
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Sampling location: Simmelried
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Phylogenetic tree: Kirchneriella irregularis
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Diagnosis:Â
- cells almost circular, slightly twisted
- bluntly pointed apices
- colonies of 4–32 cells in layer of mucilage
- length 6–26 µm (of cells), usually 11 µm
- chloroplast parietal on convex side
- pyrenoid likely absent
- reproduction with 4 autospores
- nucleus central
So far I have only found a few specimens of Kirchneriella irregularis. All specimens came from the uppermost mud layer in the Simmelried.
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The cells of Kirchneriella irregularis are strongly curved and at the same time somewhat twisted. As a result, the apices do not meet, but overlap slightly (s. fig. 4). In frontal view the cells appear almost circular. In the literature (Huber-Pestalozzi, 1983) the presence of a pyrenoid is considered possible, but I was unable to detect one in any of the specimens in my population. Reproduction takes place by autospores with 4 daughter cells each (s. fig. 2 a-b). The length of the adult cells in my population was between 10.0–11.5 µm. The colonies were always very small. Mostly less than 8 cells, which lay in a very delicate, barely perceptible mucus envelope.
Fig. 1 a-b: Kirchneriella irregularis. L = 7.5–8.8 µm. Two focal planes of a small colony of 7 cells. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 2 a-b: Kirchneriella irregularis. L = 10.1-11.2 µm. A second small colony with two autospores with 4 daugther cells (DC) each. In one of the parent cells a cell division (CD) starts. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 3: Kirchneriella irregularis. L = 5.0–5.2 µm. Four young daughter cells. Obj. 100 X.
Fig. 4: Kirchneriella irregularis. Two cells that are perpendicular to the focal plane. As the cells are slightly twisted, the two apices overlap slightly (arrows). Obj. 100 X.