''Lobosphaera'' is a
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
of
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 ...
in the family
Trebouxiaceae
Trebouxiaceae is a family of green algae in the order Trebouxiales. Many species of Trebouxiaceae are found as symbionts associated with terrestrial lichen
A lichen ( , ) is a hybrid colony (biology), colony of algae or cyanobacteria livin ...
. It was originally described from soils in Austria,
[ but has since been found in freshwater habitats and as a ]symbiont
Symbiosis (Ancient Greek : living with, companionship < : together; and ''bíōsis'': living) is any type of a close and long-term biological interaction, between two organisms of different species. The two organisms, termed symbionts, can fo ...
within lichen
A lichen ( , ) is a hybrid colony (biology), colony of algae or cyanobacteria living symbiotically among hypha, filaments of multiple fungus species, along with yeasts and bacteria embedded in the cortex or "skin", in a mutualism (biology), m ...
s.cell wall
A cell wall is a structural layer that surrounds some Cell type, cell types, found immediately outside the cell membrane. It can be tough, flexible, and sometimes rigid. Primarily, it provides the cell with structural support, shape, protection, ...
. Cells contain a single chloroplast
A chloroplast () is a type of membrane-bound organelle, organelle known as a plastid that conducts photosynthesis mostly in plant cell, plant and algae, algal cells. Chloroplasts have a high concentration of chlorophyll pigments which captur ...
that is parietal with marginal indentations. Chloroplasts lack pyrenoid
Pyrenoids are sub-cellular phase-separated micro-compartments found in chloroplasts of many algae,Giordano, M., Beardall, J., & Raven, J. A. (2005). CO2 concentrating mechanisms in algae: mechanisms, environmental modulation, and evolution. ''An ...
s but have starch grains. Reproduction is asexual
Asexual or Asexuals may refer to:
*Asexual reproduction
**Asexual reproduction in starfish
*Asexuality, the lack of sexual attraction to anyone or lack of interest in or desire for sexual activity.
**Gray asexuality, the spectrum between asexualit ...
and occurs by the formation of 4-32 autospores; these are released by the rupture of the parental cell wall.[ Species in the genus ''Lobosphaera'' have also been placed in '']Myrmecia
Myrmecia can refer to:
* ''Myrmecia'' (alga), genus of algae associated with lichens
* ''Myrmecia'' (ant), genus of ants called bulldog ants
* Myrmecia (skin), a kind of deep wart on the human hands or feet
See also
* '' Copromorpha myrmecias'' ...
''.
References
Trebouxiophyceae genera
Trebouxiales
{{green algae-stub