Xanthophyta

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Xanthophyta (yellow-green algae) A division of algae in which the chloroplasts are yellow-green and which form motile cells with 1 long, forward-directed tinsel flagellum and 1 much shorter, backward-directed whiplash flagellum. These cells typically function as motile spores (zoospores). ‘Mature’ organisms may be unicellular, colonial, filamentous, or multinucleate and coenocytic (siphonaceous). Immotile unicellular forms can usually convert readily to the flagellated motile form. Xanthophytes are found mainly in fresh-water habitats. Genera include Botrydium and Vaucheria.

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