The Chlorophyceae are one of the classes of green algae, distinguished mainly on the basis of ultrastructural morphology. They are usually green due to the dominance of pigments chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. The chloroplast may be discoid, plate-like, reticulate, cup-shaped, spiral- or ribbon-shaped in different species. Most of the members have one or more storage bodies called pyrenoids located in the chloroplast. Pyrenoids contain protein besides starch. Some green algae may store food in the form of oil droplets. They usually have a cell wall made up of an inner layer of cellulose and outer layer of pectose.
Oocystaceae is a family of green algae, in the class Trebouxiophyceae. Molecular phylogenetic studies mostly place the family in the order Chlorellales, as sister to Chlorellaceae. The type genus is Oocystis.
Selenastraceae is a family of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales. Members of this family are common components of the phytoplankton in freshwater habitats worldwide. A few species have been found in brackish and marine habitats, such as in the Baltic Sea.
Actinastrum is a genus of freshwater green algae. It was first described by Gustaf Lagerheim in 1882. Members of the genus are commonly found in eutrophic freshwater ponds and lakes, and have a cosmopolitan distribution.
Dicloster is a genus of green algae in the family Chlorellaceae, containing the sole species Dicloster acuatus. It is found in freshwater habitats as plankton, and is distributed around the world.
Dictyochloris is a genus of green algae in the class Chlorophyceae. It is the sole genus of the family Dictyochloridaceae. It is commonly found in terrestrial and subaerial habitats.
Dictyochloropsis is a genus of unicellular green alga of the phylum Chlorophyta. This genus consists of free-living algae which have a reticulate (net-like) chloroplast that varies slightly in morphology between species, and that when mature always lacks a pyrenoid. Dictyochloropsis is asexual and reproduces using autospores.
Didymogenes is a genus of microscopic green algae in the class Trebouxiophyceae. It is a planktonic species found in freshwater habitats worldwide. Formerly placed in the family Scenedesmaceae, molecular studies have placed it in the family Chlorellaceae.
Eremosphaera is a genus of green algae in the family Oocystaceae. It was first described by Heinrich Anton de Bary in 1858, who thought it was a desmid. Since then, many authors have debated its classification, until its modern placement in the family Oocystaceae.
Geminella is a genus of green algae in the phylum Chlorophyta. Once considered part of the order Ulotrichales, molecular phylogenetics have shown that Geminella and related genera form a well-supported clade within the class Trebouxiophyceae.
Micractinium is a genus of microscopic green algae in the family Chlorellaceae. Species of the genus Micractinium are found as phytoplankton, and are commonly found in freshwater habitats around the world. A few species are found as endosymbionts of ciliates. There is increasing interest in Micractinium due to its high growth rate and lipid production.
Microthamnion is a genus of green algae in the family Microthamniaceae. It is found in freshwater habitats around the world, preferably with low levels of pollution; it is typically attached to solid substrates.
Palmellopsis is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Palmellopsidaceae. They are either planktonic or attached to substrates in fresh water, or in aeroterrestrial habitats.
Planktosphaeria is a genus of Chlorophyceae of the green algae. It was first described by the phycologist Gilbert Morgan Smith in 1918, with Planktosphaeria gelatinosa as its type species. Species of Planktosphaeria are commonly found in freshwater plankton around the world.
Raphidocelis is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. They are found in freshwater habitats.
Selenastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is common in freshwater habitats around the world. Most species prefer temperate or warm-temperate waters.
Trebouxia is a unicellular green alga. It is a photosynthetic organism that can exist in almost all habitats found in polar, tropical, and temperate regions. It can either exist in a symbiotic relationship with fungi in the form of lichen or it can survive independently as a free-living organism alone or in colonies. Trebouxia is the most common photobiont in extant lichens. It is a primary producer of marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. It uses carotenoids and chlorophyll a and b to harvest energy from the sun and provide nutrients to various animals and insects.
Treubaria is a genus of microscopic green algae, the sole genus in the family Treubariaceae. Treubaria is found in freshwater habitats and has a cosmopolitan distribution.
Crucigenia is a genus of green algae in the class Trebouxiophyceae. It is widespread, but not often abundant, in freshwater habitats around the world.
Tetrastrum is a genus of green algae (Chlorophyta). It is a common component of the phytoplankton of freshwater habitats, particularly eutrophic and alkaline waters.
