Pleurococcus

Pleurococcus is a genus of green algae in the family Chaetophoraceae^[1] that are spherical in shape with a thick cell wall to protect themselves against excessive water loss. They can be found alone or in bunches together forming a slimy layer and grow on moist, dark patches of trees, rocks and soil.

Pleurococcus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Chlorophyta
Class:	Chlorophyceae
Order:	Chaetophorales
Family:	Chaetophoraceae
Genus:	Pleurococcus Meneghini
Species
See text

The name is derived from the Greek terms πλευρά (pleurá, "side" or "rib"), and κόκκος (kókkos, "seed" or "berry").^[2] It is sometimes also called Protococcus.^[3] Its taxonomic status needs reinvestigation, since the type species Pleurococcus vulgaris is considered a synonym of Desmococcus olivaceus.^[4]

Species

The genus consists of the following species:^[1]

• Pleurococcus angulosus
• Pleurococcus magnum
• Pleurococcus mucosus
• Pleurococcus rufescens
• Pleurococcus vulgaris