| Sorastrum | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sorastrum spinulosum | |
Scientific classification  | |
| (unranked): | Viridiplantae |
| Division: | Chlorophyta |
| Class: | Chlorophyceae |
| Order: | Sphaeropleales |
| Family: | Hydrodictyaceae |
| Genus: | Sorastrum Kützing |
| Species | |
Sorastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. [1] It is a component of the phytoplankton of freshwater ponds, lakes, and ditches. Sorastrum is common in tropical to temperate regions of the world, [2] but due to its small size it is often overlooked. [3]
Sorastrum forms spherical colonies of 8 to 128 cells. [4] Individual cells are kidney-shaped, pear-shaped, or wedge-shaped, or spherical (in Sorastrum sphericum ) [3] and attached to a central body of mucilage via gelatinous strands. On each cell there are two to four outwardly pointing spines. Each cell contains a single chloroplast with a one pyrenoid. [5]
Identification of species depends on the size and shape of the cells, particularly the spines. [2]
Reproduction occurs asexually, by zoospores. Zoospores have two flagella each and are formed by the repeated division of the protoplast. Once divided, the zoospores are released from a tear in the mother cell wall. Sexual reproduction has not been observed in Sorastrum, but is presumed to be similar to that of Hydrodictyon and Pediastrum . [2]
Neochloridaceae is a family of green algae in the order Sphaeropleales.
Botryococcus is a genus of green algae. The cells form an irregularly shaped aggregate. Thin filaments connect the cells. The cell body is ovoid, 6 to 10 μm long, and 3 to 6 μm wide. Fossils of the genus are known since Precambrian times, and form the single largest biological contributor to crude oil, and are a major component of oil shales.
Characium is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae. It is very commonly found in freshwater habitats, where it is attached to phytoplankton or zooplankton.
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.
Lagerheimia is a genus of green algae in the family Oocystaceae. It is commonly found in freshwater habitats all over the world, although some species are rare and have only been recorded from Europe or the United States.
Micractinium is a genus of green algae in the family Chlorellaceae. Species of the genus Micractinium are common in freshwater habitats. A few species are found as endosymbionts of protozoa, such as Micractinium conductrix and Micractinium tetrahymenae.
Neochloris is a genus of green algae in the family Neochloridaceae. It is found in freshwater aquatic and terrestrial soil habitats.
Pseudopediastrum is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is very common in freshwater regions throughout the world.
Quadrigula is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. It is commonly found in freshwater habitats as phytoplankton.
Raphidocelis is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. They are found in freshwater habitats.
Schroederia is a genus of green algae in the family Schroederiaceae. Schroederiaceae is a monotypic taxon; Schroederia is its only genus.
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.
Stauridium is a genus of green algae in the family Hydrodictyaceae. It is very common in freshwater regions throughout the world.
Cosmarium is a genus of freshwater organisms belonging to the Charophyta, a division of green algae from which the land plants (Embryophyta) emerged.
Spinoclosterium is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Closteriaceae. It is rare, but widely distributed in freshwater regions throughout the world.
Staurodesmus is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Desmidiaceae.
Xanthidium is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Desmidiaceae.
Actidesmium is a small genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae. It was described by the German phycologist Paul Friedrich Reinsch in 1875.
Chlorotetraedron is a genus of green algae, in the family Neochloridaceae. The name may also be written as Chlorotetraëdon. It is found as freshwater plankton or in soil.
Korshikoviella is a genus of green algae in the family Characiaceae.
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