Solon Pond Identification

Frustulia

Algae Sample 

Name: Frustulia
Common name:  Green algae
Family:  Amphipleuraceae

Collection Date: Received in lab

Habitat: Records indicate that they are from freshwater streams. 

Location: (received in lab)

Description: Valves are the same on either side, each has a raphe (genus is biraphid). Boat shaped in valve view, rectangular in girdle view. Contains two longitudinal ribs alongside the raphe from the middle to each end of the valve. Chloroplasts golden-brown.
Key used: Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2016, from http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/algae/identification-guide/identify/guide

Keying Steps: 
1. Algae unicellular, not joined to neighboring cells. 
2. Cell has the form of a rigid clear box, chloroplasts brown.
3. Cell shape is semi-rectangular. 
4. Shape is symmetrical, one end is the reflection of the other, as are the two halves that the cell is split into.
5. Slit like canal is on at least 1 of the two cell faces. 
6. Boat Shaped in valve view with tapering ends. Raphes on both faces. Enclosed in parallel longitudinal ribs. 
7. Determined to be Frustulia. 



Figure 1: Frustulia under 40x microscope. Notice the brown coloration of chloroplast.


Figure 2: A clear-looking Frustulia under 40x microscope. Possible diatom, however it fits the description to the Frustulia. 

Figure 3: Typical looking Frustulia under 40x microscope. Notice brown coloration of chloroplast, and halving of the middle.