Chlorobotrys regularis (West) Bolin, 1901

Most likely ID: n.a.

 

Synonym: n.a.

 

Sampling location: Simmelried

 

Phylogenetic tree: Chlorobotrys regularis

 

Diagnosis: 

  • cells spherical or sub-spherical
  • in groups of 2–4–8–(16) cells
  • diameter of cells 10–20 µm
  • cells in a mucinlaginous envelope
  • fragments of mother cell wall in mucilaginous envelope
  • 1–4 parietal chloroplasts, pale yellowish green
  • chloroplasts disc-shaped or cup-shaped, in older cells diffuse
  • prominent red or orange oil droplet present
Chlorobotrys-regularis
Chlorobotrys regularis

I regularly find Chlorobotrys regularis in the Simmelried. This Xanthophycee is not present in my other sampling sites.

 

I recognize Chlorobotrys regularis mainly by the yellow-green chloroplasts and the typical orange or red oil drop that can be found in most of the cells (s. fig. 4). The older cells are always spherical with a thick cell wall. They lie in a mucilaginous sheath, which also contains the remains of the mother cell wall (s. fig. 3). In my population, the cells were never larger than 16 µm.

 

The similar species Chlorobotrys polychloris has considerably more chloroplasts and the cells are also significantly larger at 18–25 µm.

Chlorobotrys-regularis

Fig. 1: Chlorobotrys regularis. D = 14–16 µm (of cells). A group of 8 cells. Obj. 100 X.

Chlorobotrys-regularis

Fig. 2: Chlorobotrys regularis. D = 13–15 µm (of cells). A second group of 8 cells. Obj. 100 X.

Chlorobotrys-regularis

Fig. 3: Chlorobotrys regularis. D = 14–15 µm (of cells). A third group of 8 cells. RM = remains of mother cell. Obj. 100 X.

Chlorobotrys-regularis

Fig. 4: Chlorobotrys regularis. D = 14–15 µm (of cells). Two focal planes of two young cells. Note the distinct, orange colored oil droplet (OD). Chl = parietal chloroplasts, CR = crystals. Obj. 100 X.

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