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Chrysochromulina acantha compared with Chrysochromulina cyathophora

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Chromista (色藻界)	Chromista (色藻界)
Phylum same	Haptophyta (定鞭藻門)	Haptophyta (定鞭藻門)
Class same	Prymnesiophyceae (普林藻纲)	Prymnesiophyceae (普林藻纲)
Order same	Prymnesiales (定鞭金藻目)	Prymnesiales (定鞭金藻目)
Family same	Chrysochromulinaceae	Chrysochromulinaceae
Genus same	Chrysochromulina	Chrysochromulina
Species	Chrysochromulina acantha	Chrysochromulina cyathophora

Evolutionary Relationship

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

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 Norway and Sweden.

Chrysochromulina acantha是一种单细胞定鞭藻，细胞表面覆有长刺状鳞片，外观独特。它栖息于温带和寒冷大洋水域的海洋浮游环境中。这种混合营养微藻既能进行光合作用，也能吞噬细菌获取补充营养。

Chrysochromulina cyathophora is a unicellular marine haptophyte in the genus Chrysochromulina, order Prymnesiales, class Prymnesiophyceae. The specific epithet cyathophora derives from Greek meaning cup-bearing, describing a characteristic cup-shaped element — likely a scale morphology — visible under transmission electron microscopy. Such ultrastructural features are essential for species identification within Chrysochromulina, where species are otherwise morphologically similar at the light microscopy level. C. cyathophora is known from Norwegian coastal marine environments and has also been recorded from Brazilian waters, a distribution pattern shared by several Chrysochromulina species, suggesting either broad Atlantic dispersal or recurrent misidentification across these distant populations. The species occupies the nanoplankton size fraction and is adapted to life in the water column of coastal to open-ocean marine systems. Chrysochromulina species as a group are important contributors to marine primary production, particularly in oligotrophic environments where smaller phytoplankton dominate. They may also practice mixotrophy — ingesting bacteria and small prey alongside photosynthesis — providing metabolic flexibility in nutrient-limited conditions. The life cycle of Chrysochromulina typically involves asexual division, though sexual stages are poorly documented for most species. C. cyathophora has not been assessed under the IUCN Red List framework, carrying a conservation status of Not Evaluated, consistent with the broader treatment of marine microplankton taxa that present significant challenges for population-level assessment and threat evaluation.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden