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]

Chlorochytriaceae
"Burkillia cornuta"
Burkillia cornuta
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Clade: Viridiplantae
Division: Chlorophyta
Class: Chlorophyceae
Order: Chlamydomonadales
Family: Chlorochytriaceae
Setchell & N.L.Gardner
Genera

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]

References

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  1. ^ Chlorochytriaceae at AlgaeBase.
  2. ^ Wujek, Daniel E.; Thompson, Rufus H. (2005). "Endophytic unicellular chlorophytes: a review of Chlorochytrium and Scotinosphaera". Phcyologia. 44 (3): 254–260.
  3. ^ a b c Komárek, J.; Fott, B. (1983). Chlorophyceae (Grünalgen), Ordnung Chlorococcales. Das Phytoplankton des Süßwassers (in German). E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung. p. 1044.
  4. ^ Škaloud, Pavel; Kalina, Tomáš; Nemjová, Katarína; De Clerck, Olivier; Leliaert, Frederik (2013). "Morphology and Phylogenetic Position of the Freshwater Green Microalgae Chlorochytrium (Chlorophyceae) and Scotinosphaera (Scotinosphaerales, ord. nov., Ulvophyceae)". Journal of Phycology. 49: 115–129. doi:10.1111/jpy.12021.