Oedogoniaceae | |
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Scientific classification
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(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Chlorophyceae |
Order: |
Oedogoniales Heering |
Family: |
Oedogoniaceae de Bary ex Hirn |
Genera | |
The Oedogoniales are an order of filamentous freshwater green algae of the class Chlorophyceae. [1] The order is well-defined and has several unique features, including asexual reproduction with zoospores that possess stephanokont flagella: numerous short flagella arranged in a subapical whorl. [1] The oedogoniales have a highly specialized type of oogamy, and an elaborate method of cell division which results in the accumulation of apical caps.
The order comprises one family, Oedogoniaceae, with three genera. [2] Some common features among these genera may be obscure. The hairs of Bulbochaete and the heterotrichous system Oedocladium are similar to Chaetophorales, with which they may share a distant relationship. [3] Of the genus Oedogonium there are over 330 species, about 70 species of Bulbochaete, and 10 species of Oedocladium. More than half of these species are known to North America. [4] Many of the species are used by aquarium owners.[ citation needed]
Members of the order usually inhabit still waters such as lakes and ponds, rather than rivers and streams. [1] The oedogoniales include free-living and epiphytic members on other algae or freshwater angiosperms. [1]