Johansenicoccus Fucikova & Pietrasiak, 2023

Fucikova, Karolina, Taylor, Melissa, Lewis, Louise A., Niece, Brian K., Isaac, Aleeza S. & Pietrasiak, Nicole, 2023, Johansenicoccus eremophilus gen. et sp. nov., a novel evolutionary lineage in Chlorophyceae with unusual genomic features, Plant Ecology and Evolution 156 (3), pp. 311-325 : 311

Johansenicoccus Fucikova & Pietrasiak gen. nov.

Fig. 1

Type species.

Johansenicoccus eremophilus Fučíková & Pietrasiak.

Diagnosis.

Spherical, broadly oval or irregular cells with multiple parietal chloroplasts in maturity, without pyrenoids. Reproduction via autospores. Resembles several coccoid genera, especially Bracteacoccus Tereg, Chromochloris Kol & F.Chodat, Pseudomuriella N.Hanagata, and Rotundella Fučíková, P.O.Lewis & L.A.Lewis, but is distinct phylogenetically as evidenced by analyses of 18S rDNA and rbcL data (GenBank accessions OQ849776 and OQ849777, respectively).

Etymology.

Named in honour of Dr Jeffrey R. Johansen, the Brontosaurus of desert soil algae.

Registration.

http://phycobank.org/103939

Figures

Figure 1. Light micrographs capturing the morphology of Johansenicoccus eremophilus gen. et sp. nov. A, B. Young and mature vegetative cells. C. Vegetative cells and autospore formation. D. Mature vegetative cells with clear multiple chloroplasts and extra-plastidic inclusions. E. Detail of vegetative cell; arrows point to unidentified extra-plastidic inclusions. F, G. Irregularly shaped cells, possibly in the process of spore production. Scale bars represent 10 µm, second scale bar pertains to E-G.