Euglena sanguinea
Classification
Protozoa (Kingdom) : Eozoa (Subkingdom) : Euglenozoa (Infrakingdom) : Euglenozoa (Phylum) : Euglenoidea (Class) : Euglenia (Subclass) : Euglenida (Order) : Euglenaceae (Family) : Euglena (Genus) [1]
Genus Species
Euglena sanguinea
Description and Significance
Give a brief description of the microorganism and explain why you think it is important. How does it relate to the other organisms in its phylum (bacteria and fungi) or group (archaea, virus, protist). Use the following for each reference in text (change number accordingly)--> [1]
Structure, Metabolism, and Life Cycle
Interesting features of its structure; how it gains energy (how it replicates, if virus); what important molecules it produces (if any), does it have an interesting life cycle?
This algae produces a compound known as euglenophycin. "The compound exhibits ichthyotoxic, herbicidal and anticancer activity at low ppm to ppb dosages."
Ecology and Pathogenesis
Natural habitat (soil, water, commensal of humans or animals?)
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, or plant hosts? Important virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.
References
[1] WoRMS (2011). "Euglena sanguinea Ehrenberg, 1830". In M. D. Guiry & G. M. Guiry. AlgaeBase. National University of Ireland, Galway. World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=163127.
[2] Paul V. Zimba, Peter D. Moeller, Kevin Beauchesne, Hannah E. Lane, Richard E. Triemer. Identification of euglenophycin – A toxin found in certain euglenoids. Toxicon, Volume 55, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 100–104 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2009.07.004
[3] P.V. Zimba, M. Rowan, R. Triemer. Identification of euglenoid algae that produce ichthyotoxin(s). Journal of Fish Diseases, 27 (2004), pp. 115–117
Author
Page authored by Romi Salti, student of Mandy Brosnahan, Instructor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MICB 3301/3303: Biology of Microorganisms.
