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Protocryptomonas

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.

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Jul 20, 2026
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Protocryptomonas
Cell anatomy of P. mukdenensis
Scientific classification Edit this 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 acuta A.Castro, C.E.M.Bicudo & D.C.Bicudo, 1992
  • Protocryptomonas chilomonoides Skvortzov ex A.Castro, C.E.M.Bicudo & D.C.Bicudo, 1992
  • Protocryptomonas ellipsoidea Skvortsov, 1969
  • Protocryptomonas mukdenensis Skvortsov ex C.E.M.Bicudo, 1989
  • Protocryptomonas sygmoidea A.Castro, C.E.M.Bicudo & D.C.Bicudo, 1992

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

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

Protocryptomonas obovatus source ↗

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

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 granules4 (although P. mukdenensis appears to have only one large granule).2 They lack chloroplasts, a furrow/gullet system, and ejectisomes.5

References

References

  1. de M. Bicudo, Carlos E. (February 1989). "Validation of the Generic Name Protocryptomonas (Cryptophyceae: Cryptomonadaceae)". TAXON. 38 (1): 82–83. doi:10.2307/1220898. ISSN 0040-0262.
  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.
  3. Skvortsov, Boris Vassilievich (1968). "On new genera of Cryptomonadinae recorded from North-Eastern China". Journal of Japanese Botany. 43 (1): 8–16.
  4. AlgaeBase (2023). "Protocryptomonas Skvortsov ex C.E.M.Bicudo, 1989".
  5. Novarino, Gianfranco (July 2003). "A companion to the identification of cryptomonad flagellates (Cryptophyceae = Cryptomonadea)". Hydrobiologia. 502 (1–3): 225–270. doi:10.1023/B:HYDR.0000004284.12535.25. ISSN 0018-8158.