BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY

LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4

LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Name: Esteban, Daisy B. (18-LN-1764)

Year and Section: IV BS Biology A

LABORATORY ACTIVITY 4

GROUP 4 ALGAE

CRYPTOPHYTA

HETEROKONTOPHYTA

Introduction

Cryptophyta is a group of algae that consists mostly of unicellular photosynthetic

flagellates. They swim freely in both freshwater and marine environments, preferring more
eutrophic situations. Their cell bodies are asymmetric, with distinct dorsi-ventral/right-left sides.
They are most likely insignificant in comparison to other unicellular algae like diatoms and
dinoflagellates. Many cryptomonads are photosynthetic, and their plastids are pigmented and
colored in a variety of ways. Cryptomonads that are mixotrophic may exist, and the lack of
photosynthesis has resulted in the emergence of colorless, heterotrophic, leucoplast-bearing
species on several instances (Hoef-Emden & Archibald, 2016). On the other hand, Heterokonts
are the most nutritionally diversified eukaryote supergroup and the most species-rich branch of the
eukaryotic kingdom Chromista, making them evolutionary significant (Cavalier-Smith & Chao
2006). The heterokontophytes possess plastids via secondary endosymbiosis with a red alga. They
usually have cells with an anterior tinsel and posterior whiplash flagellum. The plastids contain
chlorophylls a and c along with fucoxanthin gives the cells a golden color. Flagellate stages are
typically heterokont that have two dissimilar flagella. This classified in Chrysophyceae,
Xanthophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Phaeophyceae etc. However, this works present the
macroscopic and microscopic appearances of each of the following organisms belonging to Group
4 Algae Cryptophyta and Heterokontophyta with their taxonomic classification as well as the
similarities and differences between the Division of Group 4 algae.

Materials and Methods

The materials used are: bond paper, pencils, colors and android camera. First, I have an
access to the internet and search for the macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the following
species of Group 4 Algae Cryptophyta and Heterokontophyta and their taxonomic classifications.
Next, I drew the microscopic appearances and saved the soft copy of macroscopic apperances I’ve
search. Lastly, I’ve photographed my microscopic drawing one by one and included it in the results
and discussion as well as the macroscopic soft copy appearances.
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Results and Discussion

The table shows the macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the following organisms
of Group 4 Algae Cryptophyta and Heterokontophyta such as: Cryptomonas sp., Dinobryon
sertularia, Pinnularia acuminata, Vaucheria crucita, Sargassum polycystum, Fucus evanescens
and Laminaria digitata with their taxonomical classification.

MACROSCOPIC Taxonomic Classification

Division- Cryptophycophyta
Class- Cryptophyceae
Order- Cryptomonadales
Family- Cryptomonadaceae
Genus- Cryptomonas

Cryptomonas ovata
Organism 1
MICROSCOPIC

Cryptomonas ovata
Organism 1
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Taxonomic Classification
MACROSCOPIC
Division- Chrysophyta
Class- Chrysophyceae
Order- Ochromonadales
Family- Dinobryaceae
Genus- Dinobryon

Dinobryon sertularia
Organism 2
MICROSCOPIC

Dinobryon sertularia
Organism 2
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Taxonomic Classification
MACROSCOPIC
Division- Bacillariophyta
Class- Bacillariophyceae
Order- Naviculales
Family- Pinnulariaceae
Genus- Pinnularia

Pinnularia acuminata
Organism 3
MICROSCOPIC

Pinnularia acuminata
Organism 3
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Taxonomic Classification
MACROSCOPIC
Division- Ochrophyta
Class- Xanthophyceae
Order- Vaucheriales
Family- Vaucheriaceae
Genus- Vaucheria

Vaucheria crucita
Organism 4
MICROSCOPIC

Vaucheria crucita
Organism 4
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Taxonomic Classification
MACROSCOPIC
Division- Phaeophyta
Class- Phaeophyceae
Order- Fucales
Family- Sargassaceae
Genus- Sargassum

Sargassum polycystum
Organism 5

MICROSCOPIC

Sargassum polycystum
Organism 5
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Taxonomic Classification
MACROSCOPIC
Division- Phaeophyta
Class- Phaeophyceae
Order- Fucales
Family- Fucaceae
Genus- Fucus

Fucus evanescens
Organism 6

MICROSCOPIC

Fucus evanescens
Organism 6
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Taxonomic Classification
MACROSCOPIC
Division- Phaeophyta
Class- Phaeophyceae
Order- Laminariales
Family- Laminariaceae
Genus- Laminaria

Laminaria digitata
Organism 7

MICROSCOPIC

Laminaria digitata
Organism 7
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

The table shows the five bases for comparison between the Division of Group 4 Algae
Cryptophyta and Heterokontophyta.

Bases for comparison CRYPTOPHYTA HETEROKONTOPHYTA

Habitat Cryptophyta thrives in a variety of Heterokontophytes inhabit in
aquatic environments, including freshwater and marine
marine, brackish, freshwater, and environments.
even snow.

Reproduction Asexual reproduction by means of Asexual reproduction by means

binary fission (replication via of binary fission, sporogenesis,
mitosis). zoosporogenesis. Sexual
reproduction by isogamy to
oogamy.

Pigments Chlorophylls a and c2 and Chlorophylls a, c1 and c2, with

phycobiliproteins fucoxanthin or vaucheriaxanthin

Flagella Two unequal flagella, one Two dissimilar flagella or

flagellum, usually the longer one, heterokont, anterior tinsel and
has two opposite rows of flagellar posterior whiplash flagellum.
hairs and a shorter one a single
row.
Storage product Starch Chrysolaminaran
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Figure 1. Life cycle of Cryptomonads ovata

Meiotic sexuality and gametogenesis is virtually unknown in cryptomonads. Many have

been grown and observed in the laboratory. They simply divide into two offspring cells. Just before
cell division, new kinetosomes and undulipodia appear with a new crypt in proximity to the old
one. The new oral structure then rotates, migrating to the opposite end of the cell. In the meantime,
chromatin inside the closed nuclear membrane forms small knobby chromosomes that segregate
into two bundles at opposite sides of the nucleus. The nucleus divides, cytokinesis ensues, and two
offspring cells with a plane of mirror symmetry between them separate. This type of reproduction
by binary fission distinguishes cryptomonads, regardless of their nutritional mode, from other
protoctists.
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Figure 2. Life cycle of Laminaria digitata

The Laminaria digitata from Division Heterokontophyta cycle starts when reproductive
patches (‘sori’) develop on the distal ends of the blades. The sori appear as dark, slightly raised
patches on the blade. Within these sori, reproductive cells (unilocular sporangia) develop, and
zoospores are released when they mature. These zoospores are equipped with two flagella,
enabling the cell to have some control over where they settle. After the zoospore germinates,
cellular division begins. This is now the gametophyte phase. Gametophytes will bear either male
or female reproductive structures (antheridia and oogonia, respectively). Female gametophytes
produce ova/ eggs, while male gametophytes produce spermatozoids. The eggs remain attached to
the gametophyte, and emit a pheromone, which attracts the male sperm. Once fertilization has
taken place, a zygote develops, followed by cellular division as the new sporophyte develops.
These cells of the juvenile sporophyte are differentiated at an early stage into frond cells, and
rhizoid-like cells which will become the holdfast. The sporophyte also then attaches to a suitable
substrate, and within the first year, will grow to approximately 50-60 cm.
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Conclusion

Cryptophyta is a group of algae that consists mostly of unicellular photosynthetic

flagellates while heterokontophyta has the majority of plankton that is made up of algae, which
range from huge multicellular kelp to unicellular diatoms. Heterokonts include diatoms and some
other algae. The flagella of Cryptophyta and Heterokontophyta are unequal, and their color is
chlorophyll a and c. In terms of storage product, they differ because cryptophyta has starch and
chrysolaminaran for heterokontophyta. Because some Cryptophyta and Heterokontophyta species
are too small to be seen with the human eye, they lack a macroscopic appearance. They are both
found in variety of aquatic environments, such as marine and freshwater though cryptophyta also
occur in brackish habitats. As photosynthetic organisms they contribute to carbon dioxide fixation
and as non-toxic planktonic flagellates they constitute important prey in the food chain.

References

Hoef-Emden K., Archibald J.M. (2016) Cryptophyta (Cryptomonads). In: Archibald J. et al. (eds)
Handbook of the Protists. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-32669-
6_35-1

Division Cryptophyta, A common feature, Structure, Reproduction, Classification, Distribution,

Role for life. (2016). http://domainbiology.blogspot.com/2016/09/divisio-cryptophyta-
common-feature.html?m=1

Introduction to the Heterokontophyta. Retrieved

https://science.umd.edu/labs/delwiche/PSlife/lectures/Heterokontophyta.html

Cavalier-Smith, T., Chao, E.EY. (2006). Phylogeny and Megasystematics of Phagotrophic

Heterokonts (Kingdom Chromista). J Mol Evol 62, 388–420 (2006).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00239-004-0353-8

Heterokontophyta. Retrieved http://shigen.nig.ac.jp/algae_tree/HeterokontophytaE.html

Introduction to Heterokontophyta. Retrieved

https://science.umd.edu/labs/delwiche/PSlife/lectures/Heterokontophyta.html

Kingdom Protoctista. (2009). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-

sciences/chroomonas
BIO 114 – TAXONOMY OF CRYPTOGAMS PANGASINAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LABORATORY REPORT NO. 4
LINGAYEN CAMPUS
1ST Semester, AY 2021-2022

Edwards, M., Watson, L. (2015). Aquaculture Explained: Cultivating Laminaria digitata.

http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.2153.3283