Green Algae: Phylum Chlorophyta

• Green algae belong to phylum (or “division”) Chlorophyta

• Most green algae live in freshwater and terrestrial environments; only ~10% of the estimated 7,000 species are marine

• Nonetheless, many species of green algae dominate bays and estuaries and isolated tidal pools on rocky coasts

Green Algae: Phylum Chlorophyta

• Chlorophyll in both green algae and plants are not normally masked by other pigments

• Land plants are believed to have evolved from green algae; considered by many taxonomists as belonging to Kingdom Plantae!

Common Long Island Chlorophytes

http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/potd/2007/10/codium_fragile_subsp_tomentosoides_1.php http://www.biopix.dk/Photo.asp?Language=la&PhotoId=11271

Codium fragile (“Dead Man’s

Fingers”)

Ulva lactuca (“Sea lettuce”)

Enteromorpha sp.(“Gutweed”)