Pleurococcus
Genus of algae
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pleurococcus is a genus of green algae in the family Chaetophoraceae[1] that are spherical in shape with a thick cell wall to protect themselves against excessive water loss. They can be found alone or in bunches together forming a slimy layer and grow on moist, dark patches of trees, rocks and soil.
| Pleurococcus | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Chaetophorales |
| Family: | Chaetophoraceae |
| Genus: | Pleurococcus Meneghini |
| Species | |
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See text | |
The name is derived from the Greek terms πλευρά (pleurá, "side" or "rib"), and κόκκος (kókkos, "seed" or "berry").[2] It is sometimes also called Protococcus.[3] Its taxonomic status needs reinvestigation, since the type species Pleurococcus vulgaris is considered a synonym of Desmococcus olivaceus.[4]
Species
The genus consists of the following species:[1]
- Pleurococcus angulosus
- Pleurococcus magnum
- Pleurococcus mucosus
- Pleurococcus rufescens
- Pleurococcus vulgaris
