Cladtertia

Cladtertia
Microscopic image of Cladtertia collaboinventa. Scale bar is 0.2 mm.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Placozoa
Class: Uniplacotomia
Order: Hoilungea
Family: Cladtertiidae
Tessler et al., 2022
Genus: Cladtertia
Tessler et al., 2022
Type species
Cladtertia collaboinventa
Tessler et al., 2022
Other haplotypes
  • Cladtertia H6
  • Cladtertia H7
  • Cladtertia H8
  • Cladtertia H16

Cladtertia is a genus of placozoan discovered in 2022. The genus contains a single described species, Cladtertia collaboinventa, although several other undescribed lineages are known. Its closest described relative is Hoilungia hongkongensis, with whom it forms the order Hoilungea.

Cladtertia is similar in morphology to most other placozoans, but genetically distinct from them. It has been found in warm tropical waters with low seasonal changes, ranging from 26°N to 25°S, where it occupies a distinct ecological niche compared to other placozoan lineages. Sexual reproduction through cross-fertilization has been observed in a strain of Cladtertia.