The life cycle of the amoeboid alga Synchroma grande (Synchromophyceae, Heterokontophyta) - highly adapted yet equally equipped for rapid diversification in benthic habitats

Synchroma grande (Synchromophyceae, Heterokontophyta) is a marine amoeboid alga, which was isolated from a benthic habitat. This species has sessile cell stages (amoeboid cells with lorica and cysts) and non-sessile cell stages (migrating and floating amoebae) during its life cycle. The different cell types and their transitions within the life cycle are described, as are their putative functions. Cell proliferation was observed only in cells...