Volvox is a polyphyletic genus of chlorophyte green algae in the family Volvocaceae. Volvox species form spherical colonies of up to 50,000 cells, and for this reason they are sometimes called globe algae. They live in a variety of freshwater habitats, and were first reported by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1700. Volvox diverged from unicellular ancestors approximately 200 million years ago.
Chlamydomonadales, also known as Volvocales, are an order of flagellated or pseudociliated green algae, specifically of the Chlorophyceae. Chlamydomonadales can form planar or spherical colonies. These vary from Gonium up to Volvox. Each cell has two flagella, and is similar in appearance to Chlamydomonas, with the flagella throughout the colony moving in coordination.
Coelastrum is a genus of green algae in the Scenedesmaceae family. It is a common component of the phytoplankton in freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, waterfalls, and temporary pools of water, particularly eutrophic ones. The genus has a more or less cosmopolitan distribution, although some species appear to have more restricted geographical distributions.
Asterarcys is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It contains a single species, Asterarcys quadricellularis, also spelled as Asterarcys quadricellulare.
Coelastrella is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is currently classified in the subfamily Coelastroideae.
Coelastropsis is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae, containing the single species Coelastropsis costata. It is found in freshwater lakes and bogs, usually associated with mosses and filamentous algae. It has been recorded in Europe, Cuba and possibly New Zealand.
Desmodesmus is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is the only chlorophyll-containing organism known to have caused human infections in immunocompetent individuals. All known cases involved open injuries occurring in fresh water.
Dimorphococcus is a genus of fresh water green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is found as a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and peat bogs. It is widespread, but usually not very common.
Enallax is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. It is found in freshwater habitats, such as peat bogs or wet rocks.
Hariotina is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. They are classified in the subfamily Coelastroideae.
Kirchneriella is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is found in freshwater habitats, as phytoplankton or metaphyton.
Monactinus is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is very common in freshwater regions throughout the world.
Neodesmus is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae.
Oltmannsiellopsis is a genus of marine colonial flagellate green algae in the Oltmannsiellopsidaceae family of Chlorophyta. It was named in reference to the similar genus Oltmannsiella. It has three species, O. viridis, which forms four-celled colonies, O. unicellularis, which is single celled, and O. geminata, which forms two-celled colonies. In Japanese it is called ウミイカダモ.
Podohedriella is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is found in freshwater habitats or on damp wood.
Raphidocelis is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. They are found in freshwater habitats.
Schroederiella is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae.
Tetradesmus is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae. Species of Tetradesmus are found in a variety of habitats, including fresh water and biological soil crusts in deserts.
Gilbertsmithia is a genus of green algae in the family Scenedesmaceae, containing the single species Gilbertsmithia grandis. It was named after the American botanist Gilbert Morgan Smith. This remarkable alga has only been recorded once from a muddy rainwater pool in Madras, India.
