Dictyosphaeria

Dictyosphaeria is a genus of green algae (Class Ulvophyceae) in the family Siphonocladaceae.[1]

Dictyosphaeria
Scientific classification
(unranked): Viridiplantae
Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Ulvophyceae
Order: Cladophorales
Family: Siphonocladaceae
Genus: Dictyosphaeria
Decaisne

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

The genus Dictyosphaeria belongs to the Order of Cladophorales; Family Siphonocladaceae. It comprises a total of 13 taxonomically recognized species that were based from available literatures. [2]

Taxonomically Accepted Species of Dictyosphaeria
  • Dictyosphaeria australis Setchell
  • Dictyosphaeria cavernosa (Forsskål) Børgesen
  • Dictyosphaeria enteromorpha Montagne & Millardet
  • Dictyosphaeria intermedia Weber Bosse
  • Dictyosphaeria mutica Yamada
  • Dictyosphaeria ocellata (M.Howe) Olsen-Stojkovich
  • Dictyosphaeria sericea Harvey
  • Dictyosphaeria spinifera C.K.Tseng & C.F.Chang
  • Dictyosphaeria ulvacea Kützing
  • Dictyosphaeria valonioides Zanardini
  • Dictyosphaeria versluysii Weber Bosse (Figure 1)
Fig. 1. Habit of Dictyosphaeria versluysii in a rocky substrate.

General Morphological Description

Thalli

The Thalli is composed of visibly hollow hexagional or polygonal cells; and are monostromatic or polystromatic depending on species. They can be solid or button-shaped at around 1-5 cm; and spherical and club-shaped at 1 cm or more. The size of each cells are around 300 - 500 µm in diameter. Complex rhizoidal system is absent, however, basal cells are firmly attached to the substratum. [3]

The coloration of the macroalgae varies from grass green to bluish. [4]

Cells

Cells are visible to the naked eye. They are minutely determinate, simple or furcate, and tenacular that are structurally cushioned together. Occasionally, tenacular cells may also function as adventitious rhizoids.

Cells are multinucleated and have numerous discoid chloroplasts. Chloroplasts bear single pyrenoid surrounded by starch sheath and divided to two or more portions by traversing thylakoids.

Life History

The life history of Dictyosphaeria is both biphasic and isomporphic alternation of generation. This involves zoospores that are quadriflagellate, as well as isogamous and biflagellate gametes. Asexual reproduction through thalli fragmentation and possible parthenogenesis of gametes which result in smooth surface thalli textures.

Distribution and Habit

The genus Dictyosphaeria is widely found in the tropical region. Its habitat varies from shallow intertidal habitats, such as coral rubbles, to reef flats where they can be the dominant macroalgae. They are commonly found attached to rocky substrate or coral rubble (Figure 2).

Economic Use

The genus Dictyosphaeria, particularly, D. cavernosa is used for fish bait and animal feed; as well as antimicrobial medicine for human application. [5]

Fig. 2. . Dictyosphaeria versluysii attached to a rocky substrate beside a coral. Photo taken at Patar, Pangasinan, Philippines.

References
  1. See the NCBI webpage on Dictyosphaeria. Data extracted from the "NCBI taxonomy resources". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  2. "Algaebase :: Listing the World's Algae". www.algaebase.org. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  3. "Algaebase :: Listing the World's Algae". www.algaebase.org. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  4. "Dictyosphaeria cavernosa". www.hawaii.edu. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
  5. Trono, Jr., Gavino C. (1997). Field Guide & Atlas of the Seaweed Resources of the Philippines. Makati City, Philippines: Bookmark Inc. ISBN 971-569-252-4.
  1. https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=35942
  2. https://www.hawaii.edu/reefalgae/invasive_algae/chloro/dictyosphaeria_cavernosa.htm


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