This volume deals with the Synurophyceae, a group of silica scaled chrysophyte algae. Taxonomy within this class is based on the ultrastructure of the silica scales and bristles, and electron microscopy is in most cases necessary for the identification. Even though the 128 taxa occurring in Europe are emphasized and details of their distribution are given, the volume includes all taxa described worldwide. Thus it is possible to identify all 212 taxa with a high degree of certainty (i.e., 180 taxa of Mallomonas, 30 taxa of Synura, plus the single species of Chrysodidymus...