Chlorarachniophyte
Chlorarachnion reptans
The Chlorarachniophyta are amoeboid eukaryotes from the group of Rhizaria that hold by secondary endosymbiosis chloroplasts. In the classical hierarchy, they were asked to green algae due to these chloroplasts.
Features
All species are unicellular with naked amoeboid cells. They form net-like pseudopodia with Extrusomen.
The chloroplasts are green and contain chlorophyll a and b. The thylakoids form stacks to two to six. The chloroplast is surrounded by four membranes. In the first two membranes, it also contains a Nukleomorph. This is interpreted as the residual core: the amoeba has added a eukaryotic, unicellular photoautotrophic, probably a green alga, in endosymbiosis. The endosymbiont is largely reduced, except for the chloroplasts are just the Nukleomorph and the membrane of the guest and the endocytic membrane of the host present. In addition to the Nukleomorph there is between the membranes, a pyrenoid. The main storage carbohydrate is a β -1 ,3- glucan. The cristae of mitochondria form tubules.
The motile cells of the propagation stage have two cilia.
Sexual reproduction was observed, but not yet studied in more detail.
Nutrition
They are due to their chloroplasts, although capable of photosynthesis, but feed on mixotrophically: they also catch bacteria, flagellates and eukaryotic algae.
Occurrence
The species worldwide live in warm seas.
System
The Chlorarachniophyta include four genera with six described species, including:
- Bigelowiella natans
- Chlorarachnion reptans
- Chryptochlora perforans
- Lothar Ella globosa
- Lothar Ella amoeboformis
There are already other, not yet described species are known. The total number is estimated to be around 100 species.