| Eutreptiella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Eutreptiella gymnastica | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Discoba |
| Phylum: | Euglenozoa |
| Class: | Euglenida |
| Clade: | Euglenophyceae |
| Order: | Eutreptiales |
| Family: | Eutreptiaceae |
| Genus: | Eutreptiella A.M.da Cunha[1] |
| Type species | |
| Eutreptiella marina A.M.da Cunha[1] | |
Eutreptiella is a genus ofEuglenozoa belonging to the familyEutreptiaceae (Eutreptiidae).[1] The genus wasfirst described by A. M. da Cunha in 1914.[1]
The genus has acosmopolitan distribution.[2]
Eutreptiella consists of single, free-swimming flagellate cells. Cells have two or four unequalflagella, aneyespot (stigma), and discoid, stellate or reticulatechloroplasts (according to the species) The cells exhibit a form of movement calledmetaboly.[3]
Eutreptiella is found in marine habitats (typically in theneritic zone),[4] or inbrackish habitats such asestuaries. During spring and summer, it can formblooms and become locally dominant.[3] At least one species (E. eupharyngea) ismixotrophic and feeds on marine heteretrophicbacteria andcyanobacteria.[5] Blooms of euglenoids can be beneficial, as a source of nutrition for animals. However,Eutreptiella has also been implicated infish kills in Mexico.[6]
The chloroplast genome ofEutreptiella gymnastica is 67,622 base pairs long. It appears to have gone through considerablegenome reduction compared to its freshwater relativesEuglena.Eutreptiella is able to adjust its photosynthesis rate and lipid production according to external environmental factors, through a complextranscriptomic system.[3]
Eutreptiella species are able to produce a variety of bioactive compounds, such asomega-3 fatty acids. They are also candidates for algalbiofuel production, due to their high rate of lipid production.[3]
Eutreptiella is very similar toEutreptia, the main difference being that the flagella are significantly unequal in length.[1] In somephylogenetic analyses,Eutreptiella is recovered asparaphyletic with respect toEutreptia.[7]
Species:[1]
