vs Mediterranean Pine Vole

Chrysococcus punctiformis compared with Microtus duodecimcostatus

Key Differences

• is Not Evaluated while Mediterranean Pine Vole is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Mediterranean Pine Vole
Kingdom	Chromista (Chromista)	Animalia (hewan)
Phylum	Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Chrysophyceae (Alga keemasan)	Mammalia (mamalia)
Order	Chromulinales (Chromulinales)	Rodentia (hewan pengerat)
Family	Dinobryaceae	Cricetidae
Genus	Chrysococcus	Microtus
Species	Chrysococcus punctiformis	Microtus duodecimcostatus

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Mediterranean Pine Vole

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Mediterranean Pine Vole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe and South America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Brazil, Norway, and Sweden.

Mediterranean Pine Vole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Chrysococcus punctiformis is a unicellular freshwater chrysophyte microalga in the genus Chrysococcus, class Chrysophyceae. The specific epithet punctiformis — meaning point-shaped or dot-like — likely references the diminutive size of this species relative to other Chrysococcus species, or alternatively describes a distinctive punctate surface pattern on the lorica visible under microscopy. In Chrysococcus, the lorica is the primary taxonomic structure, and its form, texture, and any ornamentation distinguish species from one another. C. punctiformis has been recorded from Norwegian and Swedish freshwater environments, extending also to Brazilian localities. This broad distribution spanning subarctic Scandinavian lakes and tropical or subtropical South American water bodies suggests either genuine cosmopolitan dispersal of this species through passive mechanisms, or convergent morphological evolution that has been misidentified as the same taxon in different regions. Molecular phylogenetic data would help resolve this question. The species inhabits the limnetic zone of freshwater systems, where it functions as a primary producer and component of the nanoplankton community. Chrysococcus species are characteristic members of oligotrophic lake phytoplankton in Scandinavia, often co-occurring with other chrysophytes, diatoms, and chlorophytes. C. punctiformis uses chlorophylls a and c along with fucoxanthin for photosynthesis and may practice mixotrophic nutrition. It has not been assessed under IUCN criteria and is listed as Not Evaluated.