Chrysophyte Algae Ecology, Phylogeny and Development [Paperback]

Examines ecology, development and phylogeny of chrysophyte algae.Chrysophytes are mainly freshwater algae which are important indicators of environmental degradation, and also widely used as model cellular systems. For the first time, this book provides an overview of current chrysophyte research, examining existing literature, and suggesting new avenues for research in the future.Chrysophytes are mainly freshwater algae which are important indicators of environmental degradation, and also widely used as model cellular systems. For the first time, this book provides an overview of current chrysophyte research, examining existing literature, and suggesting new avenues for research in the future.Chrysophytes are beautiful and delicate organisms living mostly in freshwater. They are pivotal for studies of protistan evolution, studies of food web dynamics in oligotrophic freshwater ecosystems, and for assessment of environmental degradation resulting from eutrophication and acid rain. They also represent excellent model cellular systems for studying processes inherent in basic metabolism, biomineralization, endo- and exocytosis and macro-assembly of cell surface layers. This book gives a broad overview of chrysophytes and contains chapters by leading experts organized under the themes of phylogeny, systematics and evolution; development, physiology, and nutrition; and ecology, paleoecology, and reproduction. The book contains major contributions towards a reorganization of chrysophyte systematics, plus comprehensive reviews of chrysophyte basic metabolism, biomineralization and siliceous scale deposition, ecology, paleoecology, and a history of chrysophyte research. Contributors present reviews of the literature in their particular area and also present ideas for future research.Preface; 1. History of chrysophyte research; Part I. Phylogeny, Systematics and Evolution: 2. Evolution of plastid genomes; 3. A modern concept of chrysophycean systematics; 4. Current status oflc^