Nozaki H

Morphology and evolution of sexual reproduction in the Volvocaceae (Chlorophyta)
J PLANT RES 109 (1095): 353-361 SEP 1996

Abstract:
Morphological features of sexual reproduction in the Volvocaceae are reviewed, focusing particularly on gametic union and zygote germination. Both of the two conjugating gametes of the isogamous genera Pandorina, Volvulina and Yamagishiella bear a tubular mating structure (mating papilla), and plasmogamy is initiated by union of the papillae tips. On zygote germination, a single biflagellate gone cell is released from the zygote wall. Although all the anisogamous and oogamous genera of the Volvocaceae produce ''sperm packets'' during gametogenesis and a single gone cell at zygote germination, some difference can be recognized in the male gametes. The male gametes of Eudorina bear a tubular cytoplasmic protuberance (putative mating papilla) near the base of the flagella, whereas such a structure recognized at the light microscopic level is not evident in Pleodorina and Volvox, Evolution of the sexual reproduction characteristics of volvocacean algae is discussed on the basis of recent cladistic analysis of morphological data as well as of the ribosomal (r) RNA phylogeny and large subunit of the ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase(rbcL) gene trees.