Mesostigma | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
(unranked): | Charophyta |
Class: | Mesostigmatophyceae |
Order: |
Mesostigmatales Marin & Melkonian [3] |
Family: |
Mesostigmataceae Marin & Melkonian [2] |
Genus: |
Mesostigma Lauterborn [1] |
Species | |
|
Mesostigma is a genus of unicellular biflagellate freshwater green algae, with a single species Mesostigma viride, covered by an outer layer of basket‐like scales instead of a cell wall. [4] [1] AlgaeBase classifies it as the only genus in the family Mesostigmataceae, [2] the only family in the order Mesostigmatales, [3] the only order in the class Mesostigmatophyceae. [5] It is now considered to be one of the earliest diverging members of green plants/algae ( Viridiplantae).
Earlier studies were unable to resolve the position of the species, and it was often placed as a sister to all other green algae, as one of the basal members of the Streptophyta, or as close to Chaetosphaeridium. [6] [7] [8] More recent studies agree that Mesostigma and Chlorokybus form a clade, being the earliest diverging green plants. [9] [10] [11] [12]
Mesostigma | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
(unranked): | Viridiplantae |
(unranked): | Charophyta |
Class: | Mesostigmatophyceae |
Order: |
Mesostigmatales Marin & Melkonian [3] |
Family: |
Mesostigmataceae Marin & Melkonian [2] |
Genus: |
Mesostigma Lauterborn [1] |
Species | |
|
Mesostigma is a genus of unicellular biflagellate freshwater green algae, with a single species Mesostigma viride, covered by an outer layer of basket‐like scales instead of a cell wall. [4] [1] AlgaeBase classifies it as the only genus in the family Mesostigmataceae, [2] the only family in the order Mesostigmatales, [3] the only order in the class Mesostigmatophyceae. [5] It is now considered to be one of the earliest diverging members of green plants/algae ( Viridiplantae).
Earlier studies were unable to resolve the position of the species, and it was often placed as a sister to all other green algae, as one of the basal members of the Streptophyta, or as close to Chaetosphaeridium. [6] [7] [8] More recent studies agree that Mesostigma and Chlorokybus form a clade, being the earliest diverging green plants. [9] [10] [11] [12]