Species of Synura form microscopic, spherical colonies, composed of multiple cells attached to each other at the center of the colony. Synura cells are variously shaped, typically spherical to pear-shaped or club-shaped. Each cell contains two plastids aligned with the long axis of the cell; they impart a distinctive golden color to the cells, which comes from chlorophyll c1 and fucoxanthin. Cells are covered with scales made of silica. Two flagella are present.[6]
^Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Synura". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
^Pusztai, Martin; Čertnerová, Dora; Škaloudová, Magda; Škaloud, Pavel (2016). "Elucidating the Phylogeny and Taxonomic Position of the genus Chrysodidymus Prowse (Chrysophyceae, Synurales)". Cryptogamie, Algologie. 37 (4): 297–307. doi:10.7872/crya/v37.iss4.2016.297. S2CID51739744.
^ abŠkaloud, Pavel; Kristiansen, Jørgen; Škaloudová, Magda (July 2013). "Developments in the taxonomy of silica-scaled chrysophytes – from morphological and ultrastructural to molecular approaches". Nordic Journal of Botany. 31 (4) (published August 2013): 385–402. doi:10.1111/j.1756-1051.2013.00119.x.
^ abŠkaloud P, Škaloudová M, Procházková A, Němcová Y (2014). "Morphological delineation and distribution patterns of four newly described species within the Synura petersenii species complex (Chrysophyceae, Stramenopiles)". European Journal of Phycology. 49 (2): 213–229. Bibcode:2014EJPhy..49..213S. doi:10.1080/09670262.2014.905710. S2CID51749551.
^ abSiver, Peter A. (2014). "Chapter 14. Synurophyte Algae". In Wehr, John D.; Sheath, Robert G.; Kociolek, J. Patrick (eds.). Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification (2 ed.). Elsevier Inc. ISBN978-0-12-385876-4.