Micrograph of Nannochloris desiccata UTEX 2437 at 100x magnification. Image credit: Claire Sanders, Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The Nannochloris desiccata UTEX 2437 genome sequence and gene models were not determined by the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), but were downloaded from NCBI on Oct 21, 2022. In order to ensure this genome is comparable to those sequenced by the JGI, we applied filters to remove if present: 1) transposable elements, 2) pseudogenes, 3) alternative transcripts and overlapping models, 4) alleles on secondary scaffolds and 5) unsupported short models. This resulted in the removal of 885 models and the generation of the FilteredModels1 (GeneCatalog) gene track. All published models are available in the ExternalModels track. Please note that this copy of the genome is not maintained by NCBI and is therefore not automatically updated. In order to allow comparative analyses with other algal genomes sequenced by the JGI, a copy of this genome is incorporated into PhycoCosm. The JGI Annotation Pipeline was used to add functional annotation to this genome.

Nannochloris desiccata 2437 (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta) was originally found as part of, and regrown from, a desiccated microbial mat collected from a salt marsh in Laguna Figueroa, Baja California (Margulis et al 1988). This species grows well in brackish to marine salinities with a fall outdoor growth rate of 12.7 g/m²-day and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) accumulating to >20% of ash free dry weight (AFDW) within days under nutrient deprivation. N. desiccata was classified as a Chlorella then Mychonastes based on phenotype, however phylogenetic analysis using the sequenced genome shows it to fit in the genus Nannochloris. This strain can be obtained from the UTEX culture collection under the name Chlorella desiccata UTEX LB 2437. (Description courtesy of Claire Sanders)