Family: Unicells or colonies of non-fixed number of cells; cell body variable in shape;
one or more chloroplasts variable in shape; a sexual reproduction by autospore
(Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
Genus: Colonies of 4, 8, 16 or 32 cells in a gelatinous sheath; cell body long cylindroid,
strongly curved or twisted, both ends rounded; a chloroplast full within the cell;
a single pyrenoid
(Guide book to the "Photomicrographs of the Freshwater Algae", 1998).
50 μm
100 μm
150 μm; x 400 :
31 μm
63 μm
94 μm; x 640
Kirchneriella lunaris (Kirchner) Moebius: Colonies of 4-32 cells within a gelatinous matrix, cells crescent in shape, termini rounded, 8-12 μm long, 3-6 μm wide (Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
Kirchneriella obesa (W. West) Schmidle: Similar to K. lunaris but more spherical, 5-6 μm diam. (Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).
Kirchneriella acuminata Hirose et Akiyama: Colonies within a gelatinous matrix, cells crescent in shape, termini tapered, 25-30 μm long, 8-10 μm wide (Illustrations of The Japanese Fresh-water Algae, 1977).