Chlorochytrium Cohn, 1872

Holotype species: Chlorochytrium lemnae Cohn

Original publication and holotype designation: Cohn, F. (1872). Über parasitische Algen. Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen 1(1): 87-106.

Description: Thalli unicellular, endophytic or parasitic in aquatic vascular plants, bryophytes or marine algae. Cells irregularly globose, ellipsoidal, ovoid to variously lobed, up to 100 &m in max. dimension. Cell walls thin and homogeneous or relatively thick and stratified, sometimes with one or more local thickenings. Cells uninucleate; chloroplast parietal, having one to many pyrenoids; initially cup-shaped, later occupying entire cell periphery and becoming reticulate. Asexual reproduction by biflagellate (?naked) zoospores, arising by repeated bipartition of protoplast; the numerous spores released by rupture or local dissolution of sporangial wall, sometimes through tubular or sac-like evagination. Resting cells (akinetes) red to brownish, densely packed with starch grains. Sexual reproduction known only in some species. Biflagellate isogametes can leave sporangial wall in common gelatinous vesicle and fuse into quadriflagellate zygospore that settles on host after short motile period. Development of zygospore (and zoospore) into vegetative cells begins with cell wall formation and proliferation of tubular protrusion penetrating into host tissues. Chlorochytrium mostly in freshwater with at least one species marine; endophytic or parasitic in various aquatic vascular plants or bryophytes (e.g., Lemna, Potamogeton, Elodea, Sphagnum) or macroscopic marine algae. Reported from Europe, North America and India.Genus similar and related to Kentrosphaera, and adequate characterization of type species (C. lemnae, K. facciolae) required for clear statement of diagnostic features. Because original description of Chlorochytrium incomplete, intrageneric taxonomy remains confused. Most species have uncertain status, and some species known to be life history phases of other genera (e.g., C. inclusum in Spongomorpha, C. cohnii in Chlorocystis). In addition, rather different algae identified as C. lemnae (cf. accounts of Cohn, Klebs, Bristol, Lewin).

Information contributed by: M. Puncochárová. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2011-12-20 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Tsarenko, P.M. (2011). Trebouxiophyceae. In: Algae of Ukraine: diversity, nomenclature, taxonomy, ecology and geography. Volume 3: Chlorophyta. (Tsarenko, P.M., Wasser, S.P. & Nevo, E. Eds), pp. 61-108. Ruggell: A.R.A. Gantner Verlag K.-G..

Verification of Data
Users are responsible for verifying the accuracy of information before use, as noted on the website Content page.

Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=32800

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 20 December 2011. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 22 November 2024