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In algal anatomy, a pit connection is a hole in the septum between two algal cells, and is found only in multicellular red algae − specifically in the subphylum Eurhodophytina, except haploid Bangiales. They are often stoppered with proteinaceous "pit plugs". By contrast, many fungi (only ascomycetes and basidiomycetes, as most other groups lack septa) contain septal pores − an unrelated phenomenon.

Characteristics

A sieve-like membrane may cover the pit in living algae, but in the majority of algae a plug forms, they likely limit the transfer of metabolites between neighbouring cells.

Formation

Primary pit connections are formed between cells in the same filament, derived from the same parent cell by its division. Such connections are always single, and usually circular; this is a result of their method of formation. The septum is formed as the walls of a filament grow inwards, dividing the cell; this results in a hole in the middle of the tube where the walls don't quite merge. Thus pit connections are visible in the youngest of septa, widening as the septum thickens, until in some cases they may ultimately occupy the entire septum. Secondary connections, by contrast, occur between unrelated cells, and serve a role in transferring cell contents and nutrients. They may even form between cells of different species, as in the parasite Holmsella.

References

1. Clinton J. Dawes; Scott, Flora M.; Bowler, E. (1961), "A Light- and Electron-Microscopic Survey of Algal Cell Walls. I. Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta", American Journal of Botany, 48 (10): 925–934, doi:10.2307/2439535, JSTOR 2439535.
2. ^ lee, R.E. (2008), Phycology, 4th edition, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-63883-8
3. Ellis, T.T.; Reynolds, D.R.; Alexopoulos, C.J. (1973), "Hulle Cell Development in Emericella nidulans", Mycologia, 65 (5): 1028–1035, doi:10.2307/3758285, JSTOR 3758285.
4. ^ Fritsch, F. E. (1945), The structure and reproduction of the algae, Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, ISBN 0521050421, OCLC 223742770
5. Turner, C. H. C.; Evans, L. V. (1978), "Translocation of photoassimilated C in the red alga Polysiphonia lanosa" (PDF), European Journal of Phycology, 13 (1): 51–55, doi:10.1080/00071617800650061
6. Wetherbee, R.; Quirk, H. M. (1982). "The fine structure of secondary pit connection formation between the red algal alloparasite Holmsella australis and its red algal host Gracilaria furcellata". Protoplasma. 110 (3): 166–176. doi:10.1007/BF01283319. S2CID 21177509.

External links

• Transverse SEM images of pit connections in the coralline Synarthrophyton can be seen in Figs. 54 & 60 in Keats, D. W; Chamberlain, Y. M (1997), "The non-geniculate coralline algae Synarthrophyton eckloniae (Foslie) comb. nov. and S. magellanicum (Foslie) comb. nov. (Rhodophyta) in South Africa including comparison with relevant types", European Journal of Phycology, 32 (1): 55–79, doi:10.1080/09541449710001719375
• (Lower quality) transverse SEM images of pit connections in the coralline Phymatolithon are available on page 138 at Johnson, C.; Mann, K. (1986). "The crustose coralline alga, Phymatolithon Foslie, inhibits the overgrowth of seaweeds without relying on herbivores". Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 96 (2): 127–146. doi:10.1016/0022-0981(86)90238-8..

• Red algae