Heft 117: Trainor, Francis R.: Biological aspects of Scenedesmus (Chlorophyceae).-Phenotypic Plasticity. 1998. 71 figs. 58 tab. IV, 367 p. gr8vo. Paper bd.

Scenedesmus is a cosmopolitan green freshwater algae. Because of thecolonial symmetry of Scenedesmus, its size/shape differences andabundant cytological features, it first seemed that individuals couldeasily be distinguished and classified. Because researchers oftenexamined samples of Scenedesmus taxa at only one point in time, theyassumed that there was stability of form. Hundreds of species andinnumerable subspecific taxa were identified and described. In the present publication the author presents early reports of variabilityor polymorphism, along with their routine dismissal as supposedlyirrelevant observations, as well as chapters concerned withgeographical distribution, culture techniques, history and theScenedesmus unicell, ingicatind the need for the renaissance of thephenotype. The concept of ordered developmental sequence is developedand discussed. Data from numerous laboratories (cytological,biochemical, ecological or physiological) which support the conceptof plasticity in all strains. Numerous taxa are but ecomorphs orrather complex data.