Follicularia | |
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Scientific classification
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(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Chlorophyceae |
Order: | Sphaeropleales |
Family: | Schizochlamydaceae |
Genus: |
Follicularia W.W. Miller, 1924 |
Species [1] | |
Follicularia is a genus of green algae, in the family Schizochlamydaceae. [1] It is found in terrestrial habitats, mainly soil. [2]
Follicularia consists of single cells or groups of cells. Cells are spherical, with a smooth cell wall. Young cells contain a single parietal chloroplast with a pyrenoid; later, adult cells contain many conical to prismatic chloroplasts lining the insides of the cell membrane. Asexual reproduction occurs via zoospores with two flagella, or aplanospores. [2]
The genus Follicularia is morphologically similar to Planktosphaeria, a genus that is traditionally defined as producing autospores instead of zoospores. Additionally, species matching the morphological description of Follicularia have been found to be of polyphyletic origins; some species have been transferred to the new genus, Herndonia. [3]