| Symbiochloris reticulata | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Trebouxiophyceae |
| Order: | Trebouxiales |
| Family: | Trebouxiaceae |
| Genus: | Symbiochloris |
| Species: | S. reticulata |
| Binomial name | |
| Symbiochloris reticulata (Tschermak-Woess) Škaloud, Friedl, A.Beck & Dal Grande [1] | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Symbiochloris reticulata is a species of green alga in the Trebouxiales. It functions as a photobiont (photosynthetic symbiont) in several lichen species, including Lobaria pulmonaria , but also occurs as a free-living soil alga. [2]
Lichens that share the same photobiont may form so-called photobiont-mediated guilds; for example, Ricasolia amplissima , R. virens , and Lobaria pulmonaria all associate with Symbiochloris reticulata. [3] Phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal RNA sequence data indicates that the species forms a sister group with two other non-motile green algae, Chlorella saccharophila and C. luteoviridis . [4]
Symbiochloris reticulata consists of single, spherical or slightly ellipsoidal cells 4-13(-15) μm in diameter. The cells have a parietal chloroplast which is net-like in structure. Asexual reproduction occurs by the formation of four or eight (sometimes 16) autospores, which are released by the rupture of the parent cell wall. [5]
