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 the colonial symmetry of Scenedesmus, its size/shape differences and abundant cytological features, it first seemed that individuals could easily be distinguished and classified. Because researchers often examined samples of Scenedesmus taxa at only one point in time, they assumed that there was stability of form. Hundreds of species and innumerable subspecific taxa were identified and described. In the present publication the author presents early reports of variability or polymorphism, along with their routine dismissal as supposedly irrelevant observations, as well as chapters concerned with geographical distribution, culture techniques, history and the Scenedesmus unicell, indicatind the need for the renaissance of the phenotype. The concept of ordered developmental sequence is developed and discussed. Data from numerous laboratories (cytological, biochemical, ecological or physiological) which support the concept of plasticity in all strains. Numerous taxa are but ecomorphs or rather complex data.