| Chlorochytriaceae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Burkillia cornuta | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Chlamydomonadales |
| Family: | Chlorochytriaceae Setchell & N.L.Gardner |
| Genera | |
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Chlorochytriaceae is a family of algae within the order Chlamydomonadales. [1] Alternatively, it shows some morphological similarity to Characiosiphonaceae and closely related to it. [2] It contains a number of parasitic taxa endophytic within vascular plants, mosses, or other algae. [3]
The family Chlorochytriaceae consists of microscopic organisms which are unicellular or multicellular, with relatively large cells (up to 400 μm long); the cells may have an secondarily thickened cell wall or rhizoidal extensions. Chloroplasts are usually parietally located, and may be divided into complex lobes and/or contain pyrenoids. Cells contain one or more nuclei. Reproduction occurs via zoospores with two flagella; sexual reproduction via gametes may also occur. [3] This family appears to be an artificial assemblage of different parasitic genera. [3] The genus Scotinosphaera was once classified in this family, but due to molecular evidence it has been placed in its own order (Scotinosphaerales) within Ulvophyceae. [4]
