Chromophyta
Quick Summary
The Chromophyta is a division of algae that includes several classes, such as brown algae (Phaeophyceae), diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), golden algae (Chrysophyceae), and yellow-green algae (Xanthophyceae). While some phycologists group these classes under the division Chromophyta, others place them in separate divisions.12
Golden algae (Chrysophyceae) are a diverse group of about 1,200 species found in both marine and freshwater environments. They are typically single-celled and possess two specialized flagella. A key characteristic is the pigment fucoxanthin, and they store food as oil droplets. Yellow-green algae (Xanthophyceae), closely related to brown algae, also primarily inhabit freshwater and exhibit a range of forms from single-celled to filamentous.34
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algaeEvolution and paleontology of algaeThe Chromophyta have the shortest fossil history among the major algal groups. Some scientists believe that the group is ancient, whereas others point out that there is a lack of data to support this view and suggest that the group evolved recently, as indicated by fossil…
Read MoreThe Chromophyta have the shortest fossil history among the major algal groups. Some scientists believe that the group is ancient, whereas others point out that there is a lack of data to support this view and suggest that the group evolved recently, as indicated by fossil…
Read More- algaeEvolution and paleontology of algae
The origin of the chromophyte algae also remains unknown. Ultrastructural and molecular data suggest that they are in a protistan lineage that diverged from the protozoa and aquatic fungi about 300 to 400 million years ago. At that time, chloroplasts were incorporated, originally as endosymbionts, and since then the…
Read MoreThe origin of the chromophyte algae also remains unknown. Ultrastructural and molecular data suggest that they are in a protistan lineage that diverged from the protozoa and aquatic fungi about 300 to 400 million years ago. At that time, chloroplasts were incorporated, originally as endosymbionts, and since then the…
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