Protocryptomonas
| Protocryptomonas | |
|---|---|
| Cell anatomy of P. mukdenensis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Phylum: | Cryptista |
| Superclass: | Cryptomonada |
| Class: | Cryptophyceae |
| Order: | Cryptomonadales |
| Family: | Cryptomonadaceae |
| Genus: | Protocryptomonas Skvortsov ex C.E.M.Bicudo, 1989 |
| Type species | |
| Protocryptomonas mukdenensis Skvortsov ex C.E.M.Bicudo, 1989 | |
| Species | |
| |
Protocryptomonas is a genus of cryptomonad algae related to Cryptomonas. The taxonomic certainty of this genus remains uncertain due to the lack of type specimens and photographic evidence of the organism in life; only illustrations exist as validating evidence for the genus.[1]
Taxonomic history
[edit]This genus appeared in a compilation article on microalgae from China by Skvortsov in 1960, where only illustrations of two species, P. mukdenensis and "P. obovatus," were included,[2] but the author did not indicate the existence of type specimens (i.e., actual specimens preserved anywhere).[1]

Later, in a 1968 article, the same author mentioned three new species for the same genus: P. ellipsoidea, P. obovata, and P. chilomonoides.[3] These were also not considered valid for the same reason: a lack of type specimens. In 1989, Bicudo validated the genus Protocryptomonas.[1]
Currently, it is recognized in AlgaeBase with five species: P. acuta, P. chilomonoides, P. ellipsoidea, P. mukdenensis (the type species) and P. sygmoidea.[4]
Description
[edit]It is generally described as a genus of dorsiventrally asymmetric, biflagellate cryptomonad algae with a central nucleus and a contractile vacuole near the flagellar bases. They have 5 to 10 starch granules[4] (although P. mukdenensis appears to have only one large granule).[2] They lack chloroplasts, a furrow/gullet system, and ejectisomes.[5]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 de M. Bicudo, Carlos E. (February 1989). "Validation of the Generic Name Protocryptomonas (Cryptophyceae: Cryptomonadaceae)". Taxon. 38 (1): 82–83. Bibcode:1989Taxon..38...82D. doi:10.2307/1220898. ISSN 0040-0262. JSTOR 1220898.
- 1 2 Skvortsov, Boris Vassilievich (1960). "Algae Novae et Minus Cognitae Chinae Boreali-Orientalis 2. Flagellatae Prope Oppidum Mukden in Anno 1957 Collectarum". Bulletin of Botanical Research. 0 (1): 1–8.
- ↑ Skvortsov, Boris Vassilievich (1968). "On new genera of Cryptomonadinae recorded from North-Eastern China". Journal of Japanese Botany. 43 (1): 8–16.
- 1 2 AlgaeBase (2023). "Protocryptomonas Skvortsov ex C.E.M.Bicudo, 1989".
- ↑ Novarino, Gianfranco (July 2003). "A companion to the identification of cryptomonad flagellates (Cryptophyceae = Cryptomonadea)". Hydrobiologia. 502 (1–3): 225–270. Bibcode:2003HyBio.502..225N. doi:10.1023/B:HYDR.0000004284.12535.25. ISSN 0018-8158.