Prototheca

Prototheca
Prototheca wickerhamii, with Gram stain
Scientific classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Trebouxiophyceae
Order: Chlorellales
Family: Chlorellaceae
Genus: Prototheca
Krüger, 1894
Species
  • Prototheca blaschkeae
  • Prototheca bovis
  • Prototheca cerasi
  • Prototheca ciferrii
  • Prototheca cookei
  • Prototheca cutis
  • Prototheca miyajii
  • Prototheca moriformis
  • Prototheca pringsheimii
  • Prototheca stagnora
  • Prototheca tumulicola
  • Prototheca wickerhamii
  • Prototheca xanthoriae
  • Prototheca zopfii

Prototheca is a genus of algae in the family Chlorellaceae. While this genus is a member of the green algae, all Prototheca no longer have chloroplasts and therefore their photosynthetic ability. Some species can cause protothecosis in humans and various vertebrates.