Prasiola crispa | |
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Prasiola crispa found in central Queen Maud Land, Antarctica | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Trebouxiophyceae |
Order: | Prasiolales |
Family: | Prasiolaceae |
Genus: | Prasiola |
Species: | P. crispa
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Binomial name | |
Prasiola crispa (Lightfoot) Kützing 1843
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Synonyms[1] | |
List
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Prasiola crispa is a small terrestrial green alga. It has been recorded world-wide mostly from cold-temperate to polar regions.
The species, first described as Ulva crispa Lightfoot, is the type of the genus Prasiola.[1] A lectotype was nominated for the species, the type location of which was provided in accompanying notation as walls that faced north and were favoured as urinals.[1]
The specific epithet is said to translate as "crisped", a reference to the irregular convolutions of the species.[1]
This is a small green alga growing to about 6 cm long. The frond is round in shape, flattened. Generally one cell thick, the cells are arranged in rows or in groups of four.[2][3]
It seems to be an important food source for Antarctic collembolans.[4]: 272
The species has been used a model for the study of the effects of high intensities of UV radiation on photosynthesis.[4]: 181
Recorded world-wide mostly from cold-temperate to polar regions,[1] e.g. from Iceland,[5] the British Isles including the Isle of Man, New Zealand, Japan and the Pacific shores of North America.[1][2] In Antarctica, the species lives near penguin colonies.[4]: 593
In Iceland, it is red listed as a vulnerable species (VU).[5]