| Neochloris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Neochloris aquatica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Sphaeropleales |
| Family: | Neochloridaceae |
| Genus: | Neochloris R.C.Starr, 1955 |
| Type species | |
| Neochloris aquatica R.C.Starr | |
| Species [1] | |
Neochloris is a genus of green algae in the family Neochloridaceae. [1] It is found in freshwater aquatic and terrestrial soil habitats. [2]
Neochloris consists of spherical cells that are solitary or sometimes found in small clusters. The cell wall is thin and smooth. Cells are multinucleate (with multiple nuclei). [3] Each cell has a single parietal chloroplast with one to several pyrenoids. [2]
Neochloris reproduces asexually. Reproduction occurs via aplanospores or zoospores. Zoospores bear two flagella; upon spore germination, the zoospore loses its flagella and becomes spherical. [4]
Neochloris was first described by Richard C. Starr in 1955 with a single species Neochloris aquatica , with more species being added by later authors. However, the genus in this circumscription was polyphyletic. [3] Species once placed in Neochloris have now been placed in two segregate genera, Ettlia and Parietochloris . [3]
Ettlia and Parietochloris differ from Neochloris in being uninucleate while Neochlorissensu stricto contains multinucleate cells. [3] Additional features of the flagellar apparatus are visible in ultrastructure as well. The basal bodies of the zoospore flagella in Neochloris are arranged directly opposite to each other, [3] those of Ettlia are arranged in a clockwise orientation, and those of Parietochloris are arranged in a counterclockwise orientation. [3]
The species Neochloris aquatica may have potential as a biological control agent against mosquitoes, specifically Culex quinquefasciatus . [5]