Abstract
In common textbooks the term “algae” usually designates both pro- and eukaryotic photoautotrophic organisms which live under aerobic conditions in aquatic or frequently humid habitats. They show a plethora of morphological and physiological features ranging from unicellular organisms with cell diameters of ca. 10-6 m to complex parenchymatous plants with length of thallus of about 102 m. In aquatic habitats algae form the basis of the food chain and represent the most important primary producers. Thus algae have been studied thoroughly with regard to morphology, physiology and ecology and are duly represented in standard textbooks. However, even among botanists there is surprisingly little awareness of the fact that algae can also be found in other than aquatic habitats such as in deserts and caves, on rocks and leaves, in the air and in human bones.
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Reisser, W. (1999). The Unknown Life of Airborne Algae. In: Seckbach, J. (eds) Enigmatic Microorganisms and Life in Extreme Environments. Cellular Origin and Life in Extreme Habitats, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4838-2_44
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4838-2_44
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