Polytoma

This article describes a green algae. For the orchid, see Bletilla.
Polytoma
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Viridiplantae
Phylum: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Chlamydomonadaceae
Genus: Polytoma
Species[1]
  • P. anomale
  • P. difficile
  • P. ellipticum
  • P. mirum
  • P. obtusum
  • P. oviforme
  • P. uvella
  • P. sp. strain ATCC 30963
  • P. sp. strain SAG 195.80
  • P. sp. strain SAG 62-20

Polytoma is a genus of algae, specifically of the Chlamydomonadaceae. Polytoma is a genus of colorless, free-living chlorophytes similar in form to Chlamydomonas but lacking chlorophyll. Two flagella emanate from the anterior papilla of the cell, and cells have two contractile vacuoles at the flagellar base. Polytoma possesses a leukoplast in place of a chloroplast, in which many starch grains are concentrated; there is no pyrenoid. Since they lack photosynthetic capability, Polytoma species are entirely saprotrophic, obtaining nutrients from decaying organic matter. Some species possess an eyespot apparatus (stigma) in the anterior portion of the leucoplast, but in others this organelle is absent.[2]


References

  1. ↑ See the NCBI webpage on Polytoma. Data extracted from the "NCBI taxonomy resources". National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  2. ↑ Smith, G. M. (1950) The Freshwater Algae of the United States, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw Hill, pp.78-79


Scientific references

Scientific databases