Tetraselmis

Tetraselmis
Tetraselmis suecica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorodendrophyceae
Order: Chlorodendrales
Family: Chlorodendraceae
Genus: Tetraselmis
F.Stein, 1878
Species

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Tetraselmis is a genus of phytoplankton. Tetraselmis is a green algal genus within the order Chlorodendrales, and they are characterized by their intensely-colored green chloroplast, their flagellated cell bodies, the presence of a pyrenoid within the chloroplast, and a scale-produced thecal-wall.[1][2] Species within this genus are found in both marine and freshwater ecosystems across the globe; their habitat range is mainly limited by water depth due to their photosynthetic nature.[1] Thus, they live in diverse water environments if enough nutrients and light are available for net photosynthetic activity. Tetraselmis species have proven to be useful for both research and industry. Tetraselmis species have been studied for understanding plankton growth rates, and recently a colonial species is being used to gain an understanding of multicellularity evolution.[1][3] Additionally, many species are currently being examined for their use as biofuels due to their high lipid content.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Norris, R.E., Hori, T., and Chihara, M. 1980: Revision of the Genus Tetraselmis (Class Prasinophyceae). Bot. Mag. Tokyo. 93: 317-339. 10.1007/BF02488737
  2. ^ Becker, B., Marin, B. and Melkonian, M. 1994: Structure, composition, and biogenesis of prasinophyte cell coverings. Protoplasma. 181: 233-244. 10.1007/BF01666398
  3. ^ Arora, M., Anil, A.C., Burgess, K., Delany, J. and Mesbahi, E. 2015: Asymmetric cell division and its role in cell fate determination in the green alga Tetraselmis indica. J. Biosci. 40: 921-927. 10.1007/s12038-015-9576-7
  4. ^ Alonso, M., Lago, F.C., Vieites, J.M. and Espiñeira, M. 2012: Molecular characterization of microalgae used in aquaculture with biotechnology potential. Aquacult. Inter. 20: 847-857. 10.1007/s10499-012-9506-8