Chlamydomonas nivalis Watermelon snow
Blood snow
Snow algae
Name: Authority:
Chlamydomonas nivalis (F.A. Bauer) Wille, 1903
Taxon Version Key:
NHMSYS0000600618
Rank: Name Form: Output Group:
Species Well-formed alga Chlamydomonas nivalis (F.A. Bauer) Wille, 1903, NHMSYS0000600618
Taxon Reference:
Kingdom
Plantae Haeckel, 1866
Phylum
Chlorophyta Pascher, 1914
Class
Chlorophyceae Wille, 1884
Order
Volvocales
Family
Chlamydomonadaceae
Genus
Chlamydomonas Ehrenb., 1833
Species
Chlamydomonas nivalis (F.A. Bauer) Wille, 1903
- Made of an inner layer of cellulose and an outer layer of pectose - Aids in locomotion - Surrounded by starch granules and associated with synthesis and storage of starch Control cell activities - Light sensitive organelle which directs the movements of swimming cells
Generate energy
Hi, this is Chlamydomonas nivalis! Genus name Chlamydomonas refers to green algae
Specific epithet, nivalis is from Latin and refers to snow Cryophiles, growing best at low temperatures, typically below 10 degrees Celsius Diameter: 20-30 µm (4 times bigger than a human red blood cell)
• Containing secondary red carotenoid pigment, astaxanthin • Protect the chlorophyll of snow algae from intense solar radiation that are in great abundance at high elevations • Giving the aplanospores of Chlamydomonas nivalis the distinct red colour Drop off their flagella S S U P O M R R M I E N R G
Thicken their cell wall Green oval-shaped biflagellate vegetative cells, capable of active motion
Aplanospores, resting cells
The bright red carotenoid pigment inside the cells of snow algae is similar to that found in tomatoes, red peppers and in many colourful flowers and autumn leaves!
https://www.youtube.com/watc h?v=M-J_pMmlCLc
This type of snow is common during the summer in alpine and coastal polar regions worldwide, such as the Sierra Nevada of California. Here, at altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet (3,000–3,600 m).
A field of pink snow in the alpine Sierra Nevada of central California
Located on the surface of snow
Utilizes minerals leached from boulders and underlying soil, and detrital material as a food source
Absorbing sun light
Conduct photosynthesis
During winter, the algae remain dormant under drifts of snow As the spring snowmelt begins, the level of light increased and meltwater (nutrients) reach the dormant cells and stimulate germination The algae divide and release daughter with two flagella that propel them through the snow pack to the surface and daylight
Some of these motile cells fuse to form nonmotile zygotes. If the 2 cells are -comparable in size, they merge into a single zygote, a process lasting about 2 hours. -unequal in size, the contents of the smaller cell enter the larger cell in a process that lasts only 3‒5 minutes
As a result of exposure to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the motile cells lose its flagella, thickening of cell wall, develop the red pigment and it forms immotile aplanospores (also called hypnoblasts) This stage is the most resistant to environmental extremes In the literature, they are sometimes referred to by the misleading vernacular term “resting stage� because they lack motility; however, the cells can be metabolically active and photosynthetic.
http://youtu.be/Fy_l65CC-rI
The algae accumulate in sun cups, shallow depressions in the snow Sun cups deepens as the carotenoid pigment absorbs heat Accelerates the melting rate of glacier and snowbanks.
Microscopic view (400 X) of the bright red resting cells (aplanospores) of Chlamydomonas nivalis. The larger winged structure (lower left) is a pollen grain from the timberline whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis). The smaller, transparent-green cells (center) with a lipid droplet at each end are Chloromonas, another species of snow algae.
Fun fact # 1
It has been estimated that one teaspoon of melted snow may contain more than a million cells of snow algae!
We love squeezing!
Fun fact # 2
Compressing the snow by stepping on it or making snowballs increases the density of the red cells and heightens the colour
Fun fact # 3
The snow even has a fresh watermelon scent! Is it edible? The cells themselves are not considered toxic or poisonous. However, it is possible that snow algae might be mixed with bacteria, fungal spores, dust and detritus . Ice worms, roundworms, snow fleas, and protozoans consider the algae as a delicacy and essential food source.
1. http://waynesword.palomar.edu/plaug98.htm 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermelon_snow
3. http://biology4isc.weebly.com/thallophyta.html 4. FEMS Microbiology Ecology Volume 59, Issue 2, pages 265–273, February 2007
To be honest, I started my project one day before the deadline as I changed my adopted microbe at the very last minute. At the beginning I have chosen Volvox but I decided to do about Chlamydomonas nivalis, the watermelon snow when Dr Wan first mentioned about it during my Wednesday lecture class. There was an unique feeling which comes to me and trigger my interest in exploring more about the microbe. After some considerations, I asked Dr Wan whether is it possible to change and I will always remember what Dr Wan said to me: ‘ I know you fell in love with it.’ So here I begin! Starting to search about information regarding the algae and try my best to go through the articles one by one. After a few hours I looked at what I have done, it is only two or three slides! Somehow I felt very frustrated as I thought it will be easy and quite fast to finish. However, I realized that it may be easy to read information, but when comes to the part where you need to sort it out so that it is easy for people, especially from non scientific background to understand, it is extremely challenging! From what I experienced as a student before, I refused to study about something which is wordy and contain a lot of words that is strange to me. Therefore, I hope what I am producing is comfortable for most of the people to read about it.
Before I proceed to filling up my slides with information, I will need to have a clear picture about the characteristic, life cycle, special feature of Chlamydomonas nivalis in order to explain in a simpler way to others. Even when I am doing this project, I will always put myself into audience’s shoes so that I can know what are the possible doubts that might be arising and from there to improve my slides. I sincerely hope that I was able to introduce to the public about my adopted microbe and exposed them to the natural phenomenon, the watermelon snow which is commonly found in polar and alpine regions that are seasonally and perennially covered in snow. Also, discovered that it is actually contributed by a microbe which although seems not eye-catching to them. Like Dr Wan said: ‘ As a future microbiologist..’ I think we have the responsibilities to deliver the impact that brought by microbes and try to reduce their stereotypes about most microbes are harmful to us. From this project, although it might not be 100% for us to understand about the microbes as there are actually a lot more waiting for us to explore, somehow I believe that all of us actually gain something from our adopted micobes. Once again, thanks to Dr Wan, without her asking us to do this project, I wouldn’t be taking initiative to do little research about this microbe, which is an eye opener for me. Last but not least, thank you to all the microbes present in the world.
Know more about me! Aloha~ My name is Tham May Ling. 14 represent myself. I am currently staying in college 14 I am doing this subject in the year of 2014 I am born in October 1995, at the day of 14 I can be very quiet and serious sometimes. BUT most of the time I am very talkative and act like a child! People claimed that I am very funny and rich in facial expressions. So I think that I am already a millionaire, what I own the most is not the digits in the bank, but the abilities to bring tones of happiness to my friends. My motto: Do what you want, never regret.