| Chlamydomonad alga | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Chlorococcales |
| Family: | Chlorococcaceae |
| Genus: | Oophila |
| Species: | O. amblystomatis |
| Binomial name | |
| Oophila amblystomatis Printz, 1927[1] |
|
Oophila amblystomatis, commonly known as chlamydomonad algae or salamander algae, is a species of single-celled alga. The Latin specific name means "loves salamander eggs". It does not occur anywhere in nature other than in the eggs of a few amphibians, such as those of the spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. The alga can invade and grow within an egg's jelly. Once inside, it metabolizes the carbon dioxide produced by the embryo and provides it with oxygen as a result of photosynthesis. This is an example of symbiosis.[2]
This symbiosis between Oophila and salamander may exist beyond the oocyte and early embryonic stage. Chlorophyll autofluorescence observation and ribosomal DNA analysis suggest that this algal species has invaded embryonic salamander tissues and cells during development and may be even transmitted to the next generation.[3]
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