Raphidocelis | |
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Scientific classification
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(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
Division: | Chlorophyta |
Class: | Chlorophyceae |
Order: | Sphaeropleales |
Family: | Selenastraceae |
Genus: |
Raphidocelis Hindák |
Type species | |
Raphidocelis sigmoidea Hindák | |
Species [1] | |
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Raphidocelis is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae. [2] They are found in freshwater habitats. [3]
One species, Raphidocelis subcapitata, is a common model organism in the field of toxicology, where it is used as a bioassay. It was previously known as Selenastrum capricornutum, a name later shown to be incorrect. [4]
Raphidocelis consists of solitary cells or of colonies of cells within a thin layer of mucilage. Cells are crescent-shaped, with pointed ends that may be twisted out of the plane of the cell. Each cell contains a single parietal chloroplast filling the cell. [3] Raphidocelis is sometimes reported as lacking a pyrenoid; it does indeed contain one, although it is not covered in layer of starch grains making it often difficult to observe under the light microscope. [4]
Raphidocelis reproduces asexually by autospores; zoospores and sexual reproduction have not been observed in this genus. [1]