Everything about Volvox totally explained
» This article is about Volvox, a colony of microorganisms. For the rock music band with the same name, see Volvox (band)
Volvox is one of the best-known
chlorophytes and is the most developed in a series of genera that form spherical colonies. Each
Volvox is composed of numerous
flagellate cells similar to
Chlamydomonas, on the order of 1000–3000 in total, interconnected and arranged in a
glycoprotein-filled sphere (
coenobium). The cells swim in a coordinated fashion, with a distinct anterior and posterior – or since
Volvox resembles a little planet, a 'north' pole and a 'south' pole. The cells have eyespots, more developed near the anterior, which enable the colony to swim towards light.
An
asexual colony includes both somatic, or vegetative, cells, which don't reproduce, and
gonidia near the posterior, which produces new colonies through repeated division. These daughter colonies are initially held within the parent and have their flagella directed inwards. Later, the parent disintegrates and the daughters invert. In
sexual reproduction two types of
gametes are produced. Volvox species can be
monoecious or
dioecious.
Male colonies release numerous microgametes, or sperm, while in female colonies single cells enlarge to become oogametes, or eggs.
Habitats
Volvox is found in ponds and ditches, and even in shallow puddles.
According to Chamberlain (1932),
» The most favorable place to look for it's in the deeper ponds,
lagoons, and ditches which receive an abundance of rain water. It has been said that where you find
Lemna, you're likely to find
Volvox; and it's true that such water is favorable, but the shading is unfavorable. Look where you find
Sphagnum,
Vaucheria,
Alisma,
Equisetum fluviatile,
Utricularia,
Typha, and
Chara. Dr. Nieuwland reports that
Pandorina,
Eudorina and
Gonium are commonly found in summer as constituents of the green scum on wallows in fields where
pigs are kept. The flagellate,
Euglena, is often associated with these forms. If you've a culture in the laboratory, don't throw it out when the culture disappears, because new coenobia are likely to develop from the
oospores.
The individual algae are connected by thin strands of cytoplasm, called protoplasmates.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Volvox'.
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