Closteriopsis
Genus of algae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Closteriopsis is a genus of green algae in the family Chlorellaceae.[2] It is planktonic in freshwater habitats, and is widespread.[1]
| Closteriopsis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Closteriopsis longissima | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Trebouxiophyceae |
| Order: | Chlorellales |
| Family: | Chlorellaceae |
| Genus: | Closteriopsis Lemmermann, 1899 |
| Type species | |
| Closteriopsis longissima (Lemmermann) Lemmermann[1] | |
| Species | |
| |
Closteriopsis is currently placed in the family Chlorellaceae, based on molecular data, although it is similar in morphology to Selenastraceae and was formerly placed there.[3]
Description
Closteriopsis is a unicellular organism. Cells are 10–240 μm long and 1–6.5 μm wide, and are very long and narrow, either straight or curved with usually pointed tips.[1] Most sources describe Closteriopsis as lacking a mucilaginous envelope, although it has been documented in one species.[4] Cells have smooth cell walls, a single nucleus and a central or parietal, ribbon-like chloroplast with multiple pyrenoids arranged in a series. Reproduction occurs asexually by the formation of two to eight autospores, which form in a series and are released through the rupture of the parental cell wall. Flagellated stages and sexual reproduction have not been observed in this genus.[1]
Closteriopsis is similar to other narrow, spindle-shaped organisms such as Keratococcus, Schroederia and Monoraphidium, and differs from them in having multiple pyrenoids per chloroplast.[1][4] It is also similar to some acicular species of Closterium (hence the name), from which it is distinguished by having only one chloroplast and reproducing by autospores.[5] Species are distinguished from each other based on chloroplast morphology and cell size and shape.[1]
