Algae. 2000; 15(1): 17-22.

Morphology and Habitat Conditions of Phacus trypanon (Euglenophyceae) from Korea

Jun-Tae Kim, Woongghi Shin, Sung-Min Boo

Morphology and habitat conditions of Phacus trypanon were studied using 20 samples collected in 16 fresh waters of Korea. The chloroplasts are parietal disc-shaped. The paramylon bodies are dimorphic with two parietal dish-like plates and many rod-like grains. The SEM micrographs show that the pellicular strip consists of thick and thin rib and the ridges slope slightly from the thick rib, forming the deeply depressed furrow. The Korean populations of P. trypanon inhabit the freshwater microhabitats of high concentration of nitrogens originated from animal excretion, organic debris, and other agricultural interference. The habitat conditions indicate that P. trypanon may prefer eutrophicated waters and also compete with other euglenoid species in nutrients.

Keywords : ecology, euglenophyceae, fresh water, habitat conditions, morphology, Phacus trypanon, SEM