vs Leatherback Sea Turtle

Chrysococcus bisetus compared with Dermochelys coriacea

Key Differences

  • is Not Evaluated while Leatherback Sea Turtle is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Leatherback Sea Turtle
Kingdom Chromista (Kromista) Animalia (hayvan)
Phylum Ochrophyta (Ochrophyta) Chordata (Kordalılar)
Class Chrysophyceae (Altınsarısı algler) Reptilia (Sürüngenler)
Order Chromulinales (Chromulinales) Testudines (Kaplumbağa)
Family Dinobryaceae Cheloniidae (Sea Turtles)
Genus Chrysococcus Chelonia (Green Sea Turtles)
Species Chrysococcus bisetus Dermochelys coriacea

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Leatherback Sea Turtle

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~35.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Leatherback Sea Turtle
Diet Carnivore
Average Lifespan 50 years
Average Length 2.0 m
Average Weight 500.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Indomalayan and Neotropic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Costa Rica, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Chrysococcus bisetus is a species of unicellular chrysophyte microalga in the genus Chrysococcus, class Chrysophyceae, order Chromulinales. The genus Chrysococcus is characterized by cells enclosed within a lorica — a secreted outer case or vesicle — through which flagella protrude, a structure that distinguishes it from many other chrysophytes. The epithet bisetus, meaning two-bristled, describes a diagnostic feature of the lorica, which bears two bristle-like projections used for species identification. Chrysococcus species inhabit freshwater and brackish environments, typically occurring in cool, nutrient-poor to moderately enriched lakes, ponds, and slow-flowing water bodies. C. bisetus has been recorded from Norwegian and Swedish waters, consistent with the historical focus of chrysophyte research in Scandinavian freshwater habitats, and also from Brazilian waters, suggesting a broader distribution. Chrysophytes including Chrysococcus species are important components of oligotrophic lake phytoplankton, where they contribute to primary production and serve as food for zooplankton. The golden-brown coloration of Chrysococcus arises from chlorophylls a and c together with fucoxanthin, pigments shared with other heterokonts. Unlike diatoms, chrysophytes produce chrysolaminarin as their storage carbohydrate rather than starch. C. bisetus has not been assessed under IUCN criteria and is listed as Not Evaluated. As with most freshwater microalgae, global population size and distribution are poorly characterized, limiting meaningful conservation assessment.

Leatherback Sea Turtle

The leatherback is the largest living turtle and the fourth-heaviest reptile. Unlike other turtles, it has a soft, leathery shell.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia