Cryptomonas

From MicrobeWiki, the student-edited microbiology resource
A Cryptomonas ovata phytoplankter from a sample collected at Lake Toolik (Alaska, USA). From micro*scope

Classification

Eukaryota; Cryptophyta; Cryptomonadales; Cryptomonadaceae; Cryptomonas

Species

NCBI: [1]

Cryptomonas Ovata

Description and Significance

Cryptomonas ovata is a species of phytoplankton that is common in freshwater systems around the world. The species can be defined as "cryptomonads", which is a group of biflagellate organisms that includes both protozoans (order Cryptomonadida) or alga (class Cryptophyceae), this species belonging to the latter. C. ovata functions as a primary producer in freshwater ecosystems and contributes to the foraging base of many heterotrophs, including macroinvertibrates and fishes. Often times it shares habitat with other species from the genus Cryptomonas, such as C. borealis and C. marssonii, further perturbing the paradox of the plankton.

Genome Structure

The phylogenetic tree for the genus Cryptomonas. C. ovata is highlighted in green. From Tree of Life Web Project

Cryptomonas ovat Shares its lineage with 19 other described species of the game genus.

Cryptomonas ovata has 4 genomes within the cell: the nucleus, the nucleomorph, the plastid, and the mitochondrial genomes.

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.

Author

Page authored by Alison Cutter and Alexandra David, students of Prof. Jay Lennon at Michigan State University.