Colacium is a genus of algae belonging to the family Euglenaceae.[2] It has two phases: a motile phase and a sessile phase, where it is found attached to other freshwater organisms.[3]
Colacium is a single-celled or colonial organisms. Cells are small, about 20–40 μm, and are similar to that of Euglena, and are metabolic with parietal, lobed chloroplasts each with a pyrenoid, and monomorphic, small paramylon grains. In its typical sessile phase, the cells are attached to a substrate via a mucilaginous stalk or short pillow. Cells divide to form colonies where the cells are attached by branched, dendroidal stalks.[4]
Cells of Colacium can grow a flagellum and become motile, escaping from the colony as a free-swimming cell.[4]
↑Rosowski, James R.; Kugrens, Paul (1973). "Observations on the euglenoid Colacium with special reference to the formation and morphology of attachment material". Journal of Phycology. 9 (4): 370–383. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8817.1973.tb04110.x. S2CID83651870.
12Triemer, Richard E.; Zakryś, Bożena (2014). "Chapter 10. Photosynthetic Euglenoids". In Wehr, John D.; Sheath, Robert G.; Kociolek, J. Patrick (eds.). Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification (2ed.). Elsevier Inc. ISBN978-0-12-385876-4.
