CLADOPHORA

CLASSIFICATION OF CLADOPHORA​

Sub-division :- Algae

Class :- Chlorophyceae

Order :- Cladophorales

Family :- Cladophoraceae

Genus :- Cladophora

GENERAL CHARATERSTICS OF CLADOPHORA​

• Cell walls are stratified being composed of three layers, out of which middle is conspicuously stratified. 
• A cell is coenocytic. Central region is occupied by a large vacuole, surrounded by outer cytoplasmic lining in which many nuclei are present.
• Chloroplast is either reticulate or discoid. It is parietal in position and possesses many pyrenoids.
• The Cladophora species can be a major nuisance causing major alteration to benthic conditions linked particularly with increased phosphorus loading.
• There are two multicellular stages in its life cycle – a haploid gametophyte and a diploid sporophyte.
• Cladophora balls are formed from the filaments of the alga which are photosynthetic.
• Cladophora is cosmopolitan and accordingly infestations cannot often be regarded logically as being invasive. Where they occur they may at various times be seen as beneficial, as a nuisance, or an outright pest.

IDENTIFICATION

1. Sub-division– Algae
   1. Presence of a simple thallus.
   2. Chlorophyll present
   3. Cell wall made of cellulose.
2. Class – Chlorophyceae
   1. Presence of a definite nucleus
   2. Chloroplast present. grass green colour
   3. Presence of starch
   4. Reproductive structure motile and flagella equal in length.
3. Order – Cladophorales
   1. Cells multinucleate and cylindrical,
   2. Cell united to form branched or unbranched filaments.
4. Family – Cladophoraceae (Single family)
   1.  Cells more than eight times longer than broad
   2. Chloroplasts do not form distjnct transverse bands.
5. Genus – Cladophora
   1. Filaments freely branched.
   2. Filaments without akinetes.