Characiella is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae, containing the single species Characiella rukwae.[1]

Characiella
Characiella rukwae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Sphaeropleales
Family: Characiaceae
Genus: Characiella
Schmidle
Species:
C. rukwae
Binomial name
Characiella rukwae
Schmidle, 1902[1]

Characiella rukwae consists of colonies of cells embedded in a gelatinous matrix. Cells are ovoid in shape, with one nucleus at the base of the cell. There is one central, stellate chloroplast with a pyrenoid at the center.[1] The mode of reproduction is unknown,[1] although it is suspected to form zoospores with two flagella.[2]

Characiella rukwae has been recorded once from the plankton of Lake Rukwa in what is now Tanzania.[3] The genus is thus poorly known and requires modern reinvestigation.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. "Characiella". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. Retrieved 2023-09-23.
  2. ^ Wille, N. (1909). "Conjugatae und Chlorophyceae". In Engler, A.; Prantl, K. (eds.). Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien ... Nachträge zum I. Teil, Abteilung 2 über die Jahre 1890 bis 1910. Verlag von Wilhelm Engelmann. pp. 1–96.
  3. ^ Brunnthaler, J. (1915). "Protococcales". In Pascher, A. (ed.). Die Süsswasser-Flora Deutschlands, Österreichs und der Schweiz. Heft 5. Tetrasporales, Protococcales, einzellige Gattung unsicherer Stellung. Verlag von Gustav Fischer. pp. 52–205.