Description of Saccochrysis
provided by BioPedia
Colonial, with flagellated cells actively swimming within a colonial gel matrix consisting of an outer, tough membranous layer and an inner more watery gel fluid; colonial gel sometimes also containing numerous coccoid bacteria; cells with only one flagellum visible by light microscopy; a short second flagellum revealed by electron microscopy; chloroplast single, parietal, with or without a pyrenoid; eyespot lacking; 1-2 contractile vacuoles; flagellates occasionally stalked or colourless; pigmented and colourless amoebae and zoospores swimming outside the colonial gel also occurring; ingestion of solid food particles observed in colourless flagellates; dividing flagellates showing little swimming activity; after division the 2 daughter cells may remain connected for some time by a fine cytoplasmic thread at posterior end of cells before separating completely; stomatocysts rarely observed; growing in freshwater, but so far only a relatively small number of records.
