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Chrysolykos calceatus compared with Chrysolykos planctonicus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Chromista (Chromista)	Chromista (Chromista)
Phylum same	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)
Class same	Chrysophyceae (Goldbraune Algen)	Chrysophyceae (Goldbraune Algen)
Order same	Chromulinales (Chromulinales)	Chromulinales (Chromulinales)
Family same	Dinobryaceae	Dinobryaceae
Genus same	Chrysolykos	Chrysolykos
Species	Chrysolykos calceatus	Chrysolykos planctonicus

Evolutionary Relationship

and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Chrysolykos.

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Chrysolykos calceatus is a freshwater chrysophyte microalga in the genus Chrysolykos, class Chrysophyceae, order Chromulinales. The genus Chrysolykos belongs to the loricate chrysophytes, a group of golden algae enclosed within a rigid or semi-rigid outer case through which flagella emerge. The specific epithet calceatus — meaning shoed or boot-shaped — describes the characteristic shape of the lorica in this species, which resembles a shoe or boot in lateral profile, a morphology distinctive enough to separate it from the angular profile of C. angulatus and the flattened form of C. complanatus. C. calceatus has been recorded from Norwegian freshwater environments, part of the documentation of chrysophyte diversity in cold Scandinavian lake systems. Scandinavian oligotrophic lakes are important habitats for loricate chrysophytes, which thrive in their clear, low-nutrient waters during stratified warm seasons when competition from larger algae is reduced. The species is a nanoplankton organism engaged in photosynthesis using the chrysophyte pigment complement, and may additionally practice phagotrophy on bacteria and small organic particles. Stomatocyst formation — the production of siliceous resting cysts — is a feature shared across many chrysophytes and may occur in C. calceatus, providing resistance to unfavorable seasonal conditions such as winter ice cover or summer thermal stratification. C. calceatus has not been formally assessed under IUCN criteria and is classified as Not Evaluated. Documentation of this species contributes to knowledge of freshwater microalgal biodiversity in boreal and subarctic ecosystems.

Chrysolykos planctonicus is a planktonic chrysophyte flagellate in the genus Chrysolykos, a small genus of loricate or semi-loricate golden algae in the class Chrysophyceae. Like other Chrysolykos species, it inhabits the open water column of freshwater lakes and ponds, where its planktonic lifestyle is reflected in the specific epithet planctonicus. The cell is typically enclosed in a lorica or cellulose housing that may be less rigid than those of Chrysococcus species, with a flagellum extending through an apical pore. Chrysolykos species are photosynthetic and potentially mixotrophic, using chlorophylls a and c and fucoxanthin-type carotenoids for light energy capture. The genus is documented from Scandinavian freshwaters and other northern temperate lakes, where chrysophytes are often the dominant flagellated algae in spring and early summer. C. planctonicus contributes to primary production in oligotrophic and mesotrophic lake systems. The species has not been evaluated for conservation status by the IUCN and is listed as Not Evaluated. Chrysolykos is a less-studied genus than Chrysococcus or Mallomonas, and its ecology and phylogeny remain incompletely characterized.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden