| Spirotaenia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Spirotaenia condensata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| (unranked): | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Genus: | Spirotaenia Brébisson 1848 |
| Type species | |
| Spirotaenia condensata Brébisson 1848 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Spirotaenia is a genus of basal unicellular green algae that may be sister to the Chlorokybophyceae. [1] [2] It was previously considered to be part of the Zygnemataceae. It is sexually conjugating, a mode of reproduction that was previously only known in the Zygnemataceae/Mesotaeniaceae, the sister groups to the land plants. This is surprising, as Spirotaenia is much more basal. The conjugating process is substantially aberrant.[ further explanation needed ] [3] [4] Spirotaenia may actually be more than one distinct lineage which may not be closely related. [5]
