Modern algae resembling fossil Tetraporina

Abstract

Specimens of Tetraporina, usually interpreted as algal microfossils, display similarities to several modem taxa of the Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae and Chlorophyceae. The quadrangular and tetrahedral cell shape of algae and its variability due to ontogeny and environmental modifications are reviewed in this article together with taxonomical problems in different classes of modem algae which are relevant to the taxonomy and botanical affinities of fossil Tetraporina.