Botryococcus Temporal range: Precambrian - Recent > | |
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Botryococcus braunii | |
Scientific classification | |
Clade: | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Trebouxiophyceae |
Order: | Trebouxiales |
Family: | Botryococcaceae |
Genus: | Botryococcus Kützing, 1849 |
Type species | |
Botryococcus braunii Kützing | |
Species [1] | |
See text |
Botryococcus is a genus of green algae. It is a microscopic or semi-microscopic alga that is found in freshwater habitats worldwide. It consists of colonies of cells in an irregular, gelatinous matrix. [1]
Botryococcus produces high amounts of oil, which often make the colonies colored yellowish to reddish. When seen with a microscope, colonies release oil under the pressure of a cover slip. [2] Because of its high amounts of oil, Botryococcus is of interest to the field of biotechnology, as it is a promising source of biofuel. [3]
In addition to its current biosynthetic capabilites, fossils of the genus are known since Precambrian times, and form the single largest biological contributor to crude oil, and are a major component of oil shales. [4]
The genus and its holotype were described in 1849 by Friedrich Traugott Kützing. [5]
Botryococcus consists of irregularly shaped colonies of cells; in some species or when old, the colonies may be composed of subcolonies connected by gelatinous strands. Cells are 6-20 μm long and 2.5-8 μ wide, elongate, obovoid and narrower near the center of the colonies, ovoid, or spherical, and arranged around the periphery of the colony in one layer. They are partially or wholly submerged in a gelatinous matrix, or may be attached to the gelatinous matrix at the base. The matrix is often impregnated with oil that gives the colony a yellowish, brownish or reddish color. Cells are uninucleate (with one nucleus) and contain a single parietal, cup-shaped chloroplast with one pyrenoid (but the pyrenoid may not be visible due to oil droplets crowding the protoplast). [1]
Reproduction in Botryococcus occurs asexually by the formation of autospores. The protoplast divides into two, four, eight or 16 autospores, while the parent cell walls gelatinize. Sexual reproduction and zoospores have not been reported in this genus. [1]
The algae is frequently found in plankton in waters with differing characteristics and a wide geographic distribution. It is an important component of algal blooms and the discoloration of water. [6]
There are 13 accepted species in the genus. [1]
Species-level delimitation of Botryococcus remains difficult. Species are distinguished by morphological characters such as the cell size, shape, and characteristics of the mucilage. [7] However, the morphological characters may overlap and it is sometimes not possible to assign a population to a species. [6]
Hydrodictyaceae is a family of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales. They are found in freshwater habitats worldwide.
Botryococcus braunii is a green, pyramid-shaped planktonic microalga that is of potentially great importance in the field of biotechnology. Until 2024 is was considered to have three races: A, B, and L., but it was then determined that these are three separate species. Colonies are held together by a lipid biofilm matrix can be found in temperate or tropical oligotrophic lakes and estuaries, and will bloom when in the presence of elevated levels of dissolved inorganic phosphorus. The species is notable for its ability to produce high amounts of hydrocarbons, especially oils in the form of triterpenes, that are typically around 30–40% of their dry weight. Compared to other green alge species it has a relatively thick cell wall that is accumulated from previous cellular divisions, making extraction of cytoplasmic components rather difficult. Much of the useful hydrocarbon oil is outside of the cell.
Selenastraceae is a family of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales. Members of this family are common components of the phytoplankton in freshwater habitats worldwide. A few species have been found in brackish and marine habitats, such as in the Baltic Sea.
Dictyosphaerium is a genus of green algae, in the family Chlorellaceae. It occurs in freshwater habitats around the world and is planktonic. The name comes from the Greek roots diktyon, meaning "net", and sphaira, meaning "ball", referring to its morphology.
Dimorphococcus is a genus of fresh water green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is found as a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and peat bogs. It is widespread, but usually not very common.
Enallax is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is found in freshwater habitats, such as peat bogs or wet rocks.
Kirchneriella is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is found in freshwater habitats, as phytoplankton or metaphyton.
Microthamnion is a genus of green algae in the family Microthamniaceae. It is found in freshwater habitats around the world, preferably with low levels of pollution; it is typically attached to solid substrates.
Pectodictyon is a genus of green algae in the family Sphaerodictyaceae. It is found free-floating in freshwater habitats as plankton.
Podohedriella is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is found in freshwater habitats or on damp wood.
Sorastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and ditches. Sorastrum is common in tropical to temperate regions of the world, but due to its small size it is often overlooked.
Tetraspora is a genus of green algae in the family Tetrasporaceae of the order Chlamydomonadales, division Chlorophyta. Species of Tetraspora are unicellular green algae that exist in arrangements of four and consist of cells being packaged together in a gelatinous envelope that creates macroscopic colonies. These are primarily freshwater organisms, although there have been few cases where they have been found inhabiting marine environments and even contaminated water bodies. Tetraspora species can be found all around the globe, except in Antarctica. Despite the ubiquitous presence, the greatest growth of the genera's species is seen in the polar climatic zones.
Treubaria is a genus of microscopic green algae, the sole genus in the family Treubariaceae. Treubaria is found in freshwater habitats and has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Vitreochlamys is a genus of green algae in the family Chlamydomonadaceae. It is sometimes known by the name Sphaerellopsis, published by Aleksandr Arkadievich Korshikov. However, that name is an illegitimate later homonym, preceded by SphaerellopsisM.C.Cooke. It is commonly found in freshwater habitats.
Crucigenia is a genus of green algae in the class Trebouxiophyceae. It is widespread, but not often abundant, in freshwater habitats around the world.
Tetrastrum is a genus of green algae (Chlorophyta). It is a common component of the phytoplankton of freshwater habitats, particularly eutrophic and alkaline waters.
Sphaerocystis is a genus of green algae, specifically of the class Chlorophyceae. It is found as plankton in freshwater habitats.
Marthea is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae, containing the single species Marthea tetras. It is an extremely rare genus; it has only been recorded once, as freshwater phytoplankton from its original locality in the Bohemian Forest region of the Czech Republic.
Aphanothece is a polyphyletic genus with 63 accepted species. The name is derived from the Greek words, ‘aphanes’ and ‘theke’ which mean “invisible" and “box or sheath” respectively. This genera is cosmopolitan, found in soils, thermal springs and other benthic, freshwater, marine, hypersaline, and moist terrestrial environments. Morphology can vary, with both microscopic and macroscopic colonies large enough to be collected and preserved in herbarium records.
Chlorolobion, sometimes spelled Chlorolobium, is a genus of algae belonging to the family Selenastraceae. The species of this genus are found in freshwater habitats in Europe and America.