Trichoplax

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Legend. Image credit: Name or Publication.

Classification

Domain - Eukarya; Phylum - Placozoa; Family - Trichoplacidae;

Species

Genus species: Trichoplax Adhaerens

NCBI: Taxonomy [1]

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

Trichoplax are the smallest multicellular animal known in science. Their diameter is only 1-2mm and they appear as flat, disc-shaped, and have no body symmetry. They are found in tropical and sub-tropical environments. Trichoplax Adhaerens, the only concretely defined species within the genus, has the smallest DNA sequence discovered within an animal. more more more

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Trichoplax's genome is the smallest genome of any animal measured. it consists of six haploid chromosomes. Morphology of the chromosome is unclear. Inside the chromosomes there are 11,584 genes which are encoded by ~98,000,0000 base pairs.

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.

If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

[2]

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Author

Page authored by Mark Peck II, student of Dr. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.