Nephrocytium Explained

Nephrocytium is a genus of green algae in the class Chlorophyceae. Formerly placed in the family Oocystaceae, it is currently placed in its own family, Nephrocytiaceae.[1]

Description

Nephrocytium consists of colonies of 4, 8, or 16 asymmetrical cells surrounded by a spherical to ovoid layer of mucilage, which is formed when the mother cell wall expands and gelatinizes. Individual cells are kidney-shaped to ovoid, containing one chloroplast lining the inside of the cell membrane, each with one pyrenoid.[2]

Reproduction occurs asexually. It exclusively forms autospores, and does not appear to have a flagellated stage in its life cycle.[1]

Identification

Similar genera include Nephrochlamys and Juranyiella; Nephrochlamys differs in having cells that lack pyrenoids, while Juranyiella has granules dotted on the cell wall surface.[3]

Species are distinguished mainly by the shape of the cells (particularly at their apices), cell sizes, and length-to-width ratios. However, cells enlarge during their life cycle, which must be taken into account while identifying Nephrocytium species.[1]

Notes and References

  1. 10.1002/tax.12560 . Revised phylogenetic position of Nephrocytium Nägeli (Sphaeropleales, Chlorophyceae), with the description of Nephrocytiaceae fam. nov. and Nephrocytium vieirae sp. nov. . 2021 . Silva . Thaís Garcia . Štenclová . Lenka . Archanjo . Naiara Carolina Pereira . Bagatini . Inessa Lacativa . Taxon . 70 . 5 . 917–930 . 239685638 .
  2. Book: John D.. Wehr. Robert G.. Sheath. J. Patrick. Kociolek . 2014 . 2 . Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification . Shubert. Elliot. Gärtner . Georg . Chapter 7. Nonmotile Coccoid and Colonial Green Algae . Elsevier Inc. . 978-0-12-385876-4 .
  3. Web site: Nephrocytium Genus detail . AlgaeBase . 2007-09-19 . G. Dillard . 17 Aug 2004.