Separation of Syncoryne reinkei nov. gen., nov. sp. from Pringsheimiella scutata (Chlorophyceae, Chaetophoraceae)

Culture studies have shown that two plants, until now believed to be different generations of Pringsheimiella scutata are in fact two different algae: Pringsheimiella scutata s. str. and a new genus and species Syncoryne reinkei. They have different life histories; P. scutata s. str. is probably haplo-diplontic, while S. reinkei is haplontic, reproducing only by zoospores. Further, hairs have only been observed in P. scutata, not in S. reinkei. Chromosome counts have shown n = 4 in both plants.