Comparative and phylogenomic analysis of nuclear and organelle genes in cryptic Coelastrella vacuolata MACC-549 green algae

The nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes of a unicellular green algal species of the Coelastrella genus was sequenced, assembled and annotated. The strain was previously classified as Chlamydomonas sp. MACC-549 based on morphology and partial 18S rDNA analysis. However, the proposed multi-loci phylogenomic approach described in this paper placed this strain within the Coelastrella genus, therefore it was re-named to Coelastrella vacuolata MACC-549. The strain was selected for de novo sequencing based on its potential value in biohydrogen production as revealed in earlier studies. This is the first thorough report and characterization for green algae from the Coelastrella genus. The whole genome annotation of Coelastrella vacuolata MACC-549 (including nuclear, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes) shed light on interesting metabolic and sexual breeding features of this algae and served as a basis to taxonomically classify this strain. •First assembled and annotated nuclear and organelle genomes for Coelastrella vacuolata.•Novel phylogenomic approach to classify eukaryotic microalgae using multiple chloroplast genes.•Description of mating type locus genes and industrially relevant carotenoid biosynthesis and hydrogen production pathways.