Oophila amblystomatis

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Classification

Domain; Phylum; Class; Order; family [Others may be used. Use NCBI link to find]

Species

NCBI: Taxonomy

Genus species

Description and Significance

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

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?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

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

Ecology

Oophila amblystomatis is a single-celled green algae that can only be found inside of the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) eggs. It is not present anywhere else in nature. The algae grows alongside the salamander within the enclosed egg and provides the green color that is present. The algae more specifically, in the presence of light, uses the process of photosynthesis and provides higher oxygen concentrations to the egg. However, in the absence of light, the oxygen levels are extremely low within the egg. The spotted salamander egg provides nitrogenous waste CO2 to the algae, and the algae in return provides the salamander organic carbon and oxygen. This creates the mutualistic relationship between the two.

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 _____, student of Prof. Jay Lennon at IndianaUniversity.