''Chlorococcum amblystomatis'', (previously ''Oophila amblystomatis''), is a species of single-celled

green algae The green algae (: green alga) are a group of chlorophyll-containing autotrophic eukaryotes consisting of the phylum Prasinodermophyta and its unnamed sister group that contains the Chlorophyta and Charophyta/ Streptophyta. The land plants ...

known for its symbiotic relationship with the spotted salamander, '' Ambystoma maculatum''. It grows symbiotically inside salamander eggs, primarily in the eggs of the spotted salamander, '' Ambystoma maculatum''. It has also been reported in other salamander species, such as the Japanese black salamander, ''Hynobius nigrescens'', which is endemic to Japan.

Taxonomy and etymology

''C. amblystomatis'' was originally named in the genus ''Oophila.'' When placed in the genus ''Oophila'', it was the only species.

Growth

''C. amblystomatis'' cells invade and grow inside salamander egg capsules. Once inside, it metabolizes the

carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is made up of molecules that each have one carbon atom covalent bond, covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is found in a gas state at room temperature and at norma ...

produced by the embryo and provides it with

oxygen Oxygen is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group (periodic table), group in the periodic table, a highly reactivity (chemistry), reactive nonmetal (chemistry), non ...

and sugar as a result of

photosynthesis Photosynthesis ( ) is a system of biological processes by which photosynthetic organisms, such as most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, convert light energy, typically from sunlight, into the chemical energy necessary to fuel their metabo ...

. This is an example of

endosymbiosis An endosymbiont or endobiont is an organism that lives within the body or cells of another organism. Typically the two organisms are in a mutualism (biology), mutualistic relationship. Examples are nitrogen-fixing bacteria (called rhizobia), whi ...

.Nature Trivia, Spotted Salamander
a
Henderson State University
Accessed 4 August 2008. The relationship between some salamanders and some species of green algae, including ''C. amblystomatis'', is the only known example of an intracellular

endosymbiont An endosymbiont or endobiont is an organism that lives within the body or cells of another organism. Typically the two organisms are in a mutualism (biology), mutualistic relationship. Examples are nitrogen-fixing bacteria (called rhizobia), whi ...

in vertebrates. This symbiosis between ''C. amblystomatis'' and the salamander may exist beyond the oocyte and early embryonic stage. Chlorophyll autofluorescence observation and ribosomal DNA analysis suggest that this algal species has invaded embryonic salamander tissues and cells during development and may even be transmitted to the next generation. Free-living ''C. amblystomatis'' have been reported growing in freshwater woodland ponds. They grow best at a water depth of with the water temperature being and an air temperature of . Their optimal pH tolerance ranges from 6.26 to 6.46. Cells are motile via a flagellum. ''C. amblystomatis'' can reproduce sexually and asexually. 16S rRNA has been partially sequenced as well as the 18S rRNA for the plasmid, however whole genome sequencing has not been done.

References

External links

Green Eggs and Jam: Adaptations That Help Spotted Salamanders Reproduce
a
Henderson State University

''Ambystoma maculatum''
the spotted salamander, a
AmphibiaWeb

a
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Symbiosis Flora of Northern America Chlorococcaceae Plants described in 1909 Chlorophyta species {{Chlorophyceae-stub

Taxonomy and etymology

Growth

See also

References

Further reading

External links