Cyanophora cuspidata
Species of alga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cyanophora cuspidata is a species of algae classified as a glaucophyte. It was first identified as a distinct species in 2014,[1] from a strain isolated from Erlangen, Germany in 1967.[2]
| Cyanophora cuspidata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Archaeplastida |
| Division: | Glaucophyta |
| Class: | Glaucophyceae |
| Order: | Glaucocystales |
| Family: | Glaucocystaceae |
| Genus: | Cyanophora |
| Species: | C. cuspidata |
| Binomial name | |
| Cyanophora cuspidata Tos.Takah. & Nozaki 2014 | |
Morphology
Cells of C. cuspidata have been reported to be "obovoid to ellipsoidal" in shape, with sizes ranging from 5-12 μm in length and 2-5 μm in width.[1] A distinct tapered "tail" has been reported at the tips of cells, which is unique among Cyanophora.[3] Cells have only 1-2 plastids.[1] As with other Cyanophora species, no cell wall is present.[4]
Use as a model organism
Cyanophora is notable as the only glaucophyte taxon known to possess a flagellum for the entirety of its life cycle.[5] The flagella of C. cuspidata has been studied as a method to more accurately place glaucophytes within eukaryote phylogeny.[6]