Corallochytrium

Corallochytrium
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
(unranked):	Opisthokonta
Class:	Corallochytrea Cavalier-Smith 1995
Order:	Corallochytrida Cavalier-Smith 1995
Family:	Corallochytridae
Genus:	Corallochytrium
Species
Corallochytrium confervae Corallochytrium limacisporum

Corallochytrium is a single-celled eukaryote which was found in coral reef lagoons of the Lakshadweep islands of the Arabian sea.^[1] Although it is an opisthokont, its closest relatives in that group are not clear. For example, it is not clear whether it is more closely related to animals or fungi.^[2] Newer research indicates it is part of Holozoa.^[3]

Description

This organism produces rough, pink, raised colonies on BK medium. The vegetative cells are unicellular. Reproduction is by binary divisions The amoeboid spores are limax shaped.

References

1. Raghu-Kumar, S (1987), "Occurrence of the thraustochytrid, Corallochytrium limacisporum gen. et sp. nov. in the coral reef lagoons of the Lakshadweep Islands in the Arabian Sea", Botanica Marina [BOT. MAR.], 30 (1): 83–89
2. Sumathi, Jc; Raghukumar, S; Kasbekar, Dp; Raghukumar, C (Oct 2006), "Molecular evidence of fungal signatures in the marine protist Corallochytrium limacisporum and its implications in the evolution of animals and fungi.", Protist, 157 (4): 363–76, doi:10.1016/j.protis.2006.05.003, PMID 16899404
3. Parfrey, Laura Wegener; Lahr, Daniel J. G.; Knoll, Andrew H.; Katz, Laura A. (2011-08-16). "Estimating the timing of early eukaryotic diversification with multigene molecular clocks". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 108 (33): 13624–13629. doi:10.1073/pnas.1110633108. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 3158185. PMID 21810989.