Monactinus Biwae
ExplorePlants
Monactinus Biwae
monactinus biwae
Monactinus Biwae is a beautiful, microscopic green alga renowned for its striking star-like geometric symmetry. Operating as a free-floating colonial organism, it consists of a single-layered disc of cells precisely arranged in concentric rings. This microalga plays a vital role in freshwater food webs, serving as a primary producer that converts solar energy into organic matter while oxygenating its aquatic environment.
Habitat: Inhabits the open waters of freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers, thriving as a component of floating phytoplankton.
Appearance
Under a microscope, Monactinus Biwae resembles a green, wheel-like structure or gear. It forms flat, disc-shaped colonies (coenobia) typically consisting of 8, 16, 32, or 64 cells. The inner cells are polygonal and fit tightly together, while each outer cell is characterized by a single, prominent, outward-pointing horn or spine, giving the entire colony a starburst appearance. The cells are rich in green chlorophyll, which gives them a vibrant, grass-green coloration.
KingdomPlantaePhylumChlorophytaClassChlorophyceaeOrderSphaeroplealesFamilyHydrodictyaceaeGenusMonactinus
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It is named after Lake Biwa in Japan, the country's largest freshwater lake, where it was historically studied in detail.
Its outer cells feature a single horn-like projection, which distinguishes the genus Monactinus from its close relative Pediastrum, which typically has two.
The number of cells in a colony is determined at birth and does not increase; individual cells simply grow larger as the colony matures.
Special abilities
Ability
Geometric Light Capture
The flat, single-layered disc structure maximizes surface area exposure to sunlight, optimizing the efficiency of its photosynthetic process.
Ability
Vesicular Self-Assembly
During reproduction, motile zoospores gather inside a temporary vesicle and spontaneously align into a perfect geometric colony before developing cell walls.
Ability
Resilient Outer Wall
The cell wall contains robust, decay-resistant biopolymers that protect the colony from sudden osmotic shifts and physical damage.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 0 cm
- Clutch Size
- 8-64
Diet & Feeding
As a photosynthetic organism, it manufactures its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and dissolved inorganic nutrients from the water.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Dissolved nitrates
- Dissolved phosphates
Foraging Method
- Photosynthesis
Ecological connections
eaten by
Common Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
Serves as a vital source of nutrition for filter-feeding zooplankton.
competitor
Microcystis
Microcystis aeruginosa
Competes for dissolved phosphorus and nitrogen in freshwater lakes.
Traits
No trait badges are assigned for this object yet.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Monactinus Biwae?
The easiest way to identify Monactinus Biwae is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Monactinus Biwae?
0 cm
What does Monactinus Biwae eat?
As a photosynthetic organism, it manufactures its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and dissolved inorganic nutrients from the water.
Where is Monactinus Biwae usually found?
Inhabits the open waters of freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers, thriving as a component of floating phytoplankton.
How does Monactinus Biwae hunt?
Photosynthesis
How many eggs does Monactinus Biwae lay?
8-64
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