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Cell morphology, ultrastructure, and calcification pattern of Oocardium stratum, a peculiar lotic desmid

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Abstract

Cell morphology and ultrastructure of the desmid Oocardium stratum and its habitat conditions in two limestone-precipitating spring habitats in the Alps were studied. In spite of specific cell geometry, we found ultrastructural features (nucleus with nucleolus, Golgi apparatus, chloroplast structure, lipid bodies, cell wall texture) closely related to other desmids. The type of the mucilage pore apparatus perforating in high densities extended areas of the cell wall of Oocardium is of the Cosmarium type. Oocardium contrasts to Cosmarium by a peculiar bilateral cell geometry (lateral sphenoid shape) which is combined with a dislocated nucleus. Although the cell features of Oocardium did not differ between the two habitats, different calcification types (rhombohedral calcite versus fascicular-fibrous calcite) and calcification intensities were recorded. The spatial positioning and extension of the Oocardium niches differed considerably between the two springs in spite of high CO2 oversaturation at both sites.

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Abbreviations

CLSM:

Confocal laser scanning microscope

LM:

Light microscope

SEM:

Scanning electron microscope

TEM:

Transmission electron microscope

FFC:

Fascicular-fibrous calcite

SAL:

Spring-associated limestone

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part by a grant from the Universitätszentrum Obergurgl to A.H. D. S. acknowledges financial support from project “Kalktuff in Vorarlberg” granted by Inatura Erlebnisschau Dornbirn. We thank Mr. Reinhard Schweitzer for excellent assistance in performing essential parts of the electronic versions of figures.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biology, Arbeitsgruppe Hydrobotanik, Institute of Botany, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestrasse 15, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria

    E. Rott, A. Holzinger, D. Gesierich & W. Kofler

  2. Faculty of Geo- and Atmospheric Sciences, Institute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria

    D. Sanders

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  1. E. Rott
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  2. A. Holzinger
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  3. D. Gesierich
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  4. W. Kofler
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  5. D. Sanders
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Correspondence to E. Rott.

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Dedicated to Professor Cornelius Lütz on the occasion of his 65th birthday

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Rott, E., Holzinger, A., Gesierich, D. et al. Cell morphology, ultrastructure, and calcification pattern of Oocardium stratum, a peculiar lotic desmid. Protoplasma 243, 39–50 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-009-0050-y

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