Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Algal factsheet: Pandorina (Volvocaceae)


Diagnostic features

Colonial chlorophyte with up to 32 approx. spherical cells set in a sphere of mucilage. Each cell has two flagella of equal length projecting outwards through the mucilage. Cells are closely adherent at their bases (cf. Eudorina). Chloroplasts green, cupshaped, parietal, each containing a red eyespot, which varies in size throughout the colony.

Typical habitats

Found in the plankton of nutrient-rich ponds including sewage ponds

Classification

Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Chlorophyta
Class Chlorophyceae
Order Chlamydomonadales
Family Volvocaceae
Common name Green algae