Synula moving along aggregate surface

Large and small colony of Synula are moving around an aggregate. However, becoming too large may be inconvenient, so here we can see the division of one big colony into two smaller ones.

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
The title of this video, “dividing Synura” is incorrect. This video shows how a single colony of Synura divides into two individual colonies, but does not show the division of cells. Also the comment that Synura is eating bacteria may not be true.

As this organism is a type of algae, it obtains nutrients through photosynthesis by its internal chloroplasts. But considering that Synura and related organisms have evolved with symbiotic algae inside their cells, the organism might have maintained the ability to forage bacteria.

In fact, some species of Dinoflagellate eat bacteria, and Ochromonas which have internal chloroplasts also eat bacteria. Ochromonas are able to get nutrients not only through photosynthesis and phagocytosis but also through osmotrophy. Therefore this organism is easily cultured without adding bacteria.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

I have never observed either Synula or the related Mallomonas are eating bacteria.

Sampling Date : 09 August 2009

Sampling Site : Hirose River B  Google Map