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]
| Lobocharacium | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Clade: | 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]
| |
Description
editLobocharacium 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- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
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