Prototheca is a genus of algae in the family Chlorellaceae. While this genus is a member of the green algae, all Prototheca no longer have chloroplasts and therefore their photosynthetic ability. Some species can cause protothecosis in humans and various vertebrates.
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👉 Prototheca in the context of Trebouxiophyceae
The Trebouxiophyceae, also known as trebouxiophytes, are a class of green algae, in the division Chlorophyta. Members of this class are single-celled, colonial, or multicellular and are found in freshwater, terrestrial or marine habitats worldwide. Many taxa in the Trebouxiophyceae form symbiotic relationships with other organisms; in particular, the majority of phycobionts within lichens are trebouxiophytes. A number of taxa have also lost the ability to photosynthesize, and have evolved to become parasitic; examples include Prototheca and Helicosporidium.
Trebouxiophyceae was originally defined by ultrastructural characteristics, but is now generally circumscribed based on phylogenetics, particularly based on the 18S rDNA locus. As of 2024, Trebouxiophyceae contains 211 genera and about 925 species.
In this Dossier
Prototheca in the context of Helicosporidium
Helicosporidium is a genus of colorless, pathogenic algae in the class Trebouxiophyceae of the green algae. It is a parasite found in the gut of insects, and a close relative of Prototheca.