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Charophyta

(Phylum)

Overview

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The Charophyta are a division of green algae,1] including the closest relatives of the embryophyte plants.[2] In some groups, such as conjugating green algae, flagellate cells do not occur. The latter group does engage in sexual reproduction, and motility does not involve flagella, since they are totally lacking. Flagellate cells in the form of sperm are found in stoneworts (Charales) and Coleochaetales.

Classification

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Because they exclude the embryophytes, the Charophyta make a paraphyletic group[3] (although the division Charophyta is occasionally restricted to simply the Charales or stoneworts, which are monophyletic).[ci tation needed] The Charophyta plus the embryophytes make up the Streptophyta, which is a monophyletic group.

Distribution

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List of species. Chara aspera Deth. ex Wild. var. aspera Ireland: Counties Down, Antrim and Londonderry.[4]

21652308. http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/10/1535. 
  • ^ Karol KG, McCourt RM, Cimino MT, Delwiche CF (December 2001). "The closest living relatives of land plants". Science 294 (5550): 2351?3. Bibcode 2001Sci...294.2351K. doi:10.1126/s cience.1065156. PMID 11743201. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11743201. 
  • ^ http://tolweb.org/Green_plants/2382
  • ^ Morton, O. in Hackney, P. (ed.) 1992. Stewart & Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Third edition. ISBN 0-853898-446-9 (HB)

    • See also

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    Taxonomy

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    The Phylum Charophyta is further organized into finer groupings including:

    Classes

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    Charophyceae

    Charophyceae is a taxon of green algae whose exact rank is the matter of some current debate. Some botanists recommend expanding the existing plant kingdom to include charophyceans and chlorophytes while others consider Charophyceae to be a class within either the divisions Chlorophyta, Streptophytina, or Streptophyta. Other systematists classify Charophyceae as a class under division Charophyta, with Chlorophyta remaining a distinct division. [more]

    At least 5,697 species and subspecies belong to the Class Charophyceae.

    More info about the Class Charophyceae may be found here.

    References

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    1. ^ Lewis, Louise A.; Richard M. McCourt (2004). "Green algae and the origin of land plants" (abstract). American Journal of Botany 91 (10): 1535?1556. doi:10.3732/ajb.91.10.1535. PMID 21652308. http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/abstract/91/10/1535. 
    2. ^ Karol KG, McCourt RM, Cimino MT, Delwiche CF (December 2001). "The closest living relatives of land plants". Science 294 (5550): 2351?3. Bibcode 2001Sci...294.2351K. doi:10.1126/science.1065156. PMID 11743201. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=11743201. 
    3. ^ http://tolweb.org/Green_plants/2382
    4. ^ Morton, O. in Hackney, P. (ed.) 1992. Stewart & Corry's Flora of the North-east of Ireland. Third edition. ISBN 0-853898-446-9 (HB)

    Sources

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    Last Revised: August 24, 2012
    2012/08/24 13:00:58