Lobocharacium

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Lobocharacium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
(unranked): Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Characiosiphonaceae
Genus: Lobocharacium
Kugrens, Clay & Aguiar
Species:
L. coloradoense
Binomial name
Lobocharacium coloradoense
Kugrens, Clay & Aguiar, 2000[1]

Lobocharacium is a genus of green algae in the family Characiosiphonaceae. It contains the single species Lobocharacium coloradoense.[1] It has been isolated from a pond in Colorado, United States.[2]

Description[edit]

Lobocharacium coloradoense consists of individual, spindle-shaped cells that are 120–230 μm long and 50–120 μm in diameter, attached to a substrate via a small pad. Cells are multinucleate, with multiple nuclei. Surrounding each nucleus is a cone-shaped chloroplast which is stellate viewed from the front, each with a central pyrenoid. Nuclei and chloroplasts are each in their own lobe or compartment of the cytoplasm, the lobes connected by thin bridges. Contractile vacuoles are absent.[2]

Lobocharacium reproduces asexually and sexually. Asexual reproduction occurs by zoospores, which have two flagella, a stigma and a parietal with a pyrenoid. Alternatively, aplanospores may also be formed. Sexual reproduction is isogamous, with spherical gametes with two flagella. The zoospores and gametes are released when the entire cell wall dissolves.[2]

Lobocharacium is most closely related to the genus Characiosiphon,[3] and shares many morphological characters, including the multinucleate cells with many stellate chloroplasts. The latter genus produces larger cells (up to 0.5 cm), with a large central vacuole and many smaller contractile vacuoles. Additionally, the zoospores and gametes in Characiosiphon are released through a pore in the cell wall.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. (2007). "Genus: Lobocharacium taxonomy browser". AlgaeBase version 4.2 World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
  2. ^ a b c d Kugrens, Paul; Clay, Brec L.; Aguiar, Rosane (2000). "Ultrastructure of Lobocharacium coloradoense, gen. et sp. nov. (Chlorophyta, Characiosiphonaceae), an unusual coenocyte from Colorado". Journal of Phycology. 36 (2): 421–432. Bibcode:2000JPcgy..36..421K. doi:10.1046/j.1529-8817.2000.99089.x. S2CID 84904186.
  3. ^ Buchheim, Mark A.; Buchheim, Julie A.; Carlson, Tracy; Kugrens, Paul (2002). "Phylogeny of Lobocharacium (Chlorophyceae) and allies: a study of 18S and 26S rDNA data". Journal of Phycology. 38 (2): 376–383. Bibcode:2002JPcgy..38..376B. doi:10.1046/j.1529-8817.2002.01145.x. S2CID 84640090.