| Pleurococcus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Clade: | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Chaetophorales |
| Family: | Chaetophoraceae |
| Genus: | Pleurococcus Meneghini |
| Species | |
See text | |
Pleurococcus is a genus of green algae in the family Chaetophoraceae [1] that are spherical in shape with a thick cell wall to protect themselves against excessive water loss. They can be found alone or in bunches together forming a slimy layer and grow on moist, dark patches of trees, rocks and soil.
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The name is derived from the Greek terms πλευρά (pleurá, "side" or "rib"), and κόκκος (kókkos, "seed" or "berry"). [2] It is sometimes also called Protococcus. [3] Its taxonomic status needs reinvestigation, since the type species Pleurococcus vulgaris is considered a synonym of Desmococcus olivaceus . [4]
