Monoraphidium

Monoraphidium is a genus of green algae in the family Selenastraceae.^[2] Monoraphidium is found free-floating or attached to surfaces in water, or in soils.^[1] It is one of the most common types of phytoplankton in freshwater habitats, and has a cosmopolitan distribution.^[3]

Monoraphidium
Monoraphidium arcuatum
Scientific classification
Clade:	Viridiplantae
Division:	Chlorophyta
Class:	Chlorophyceae
Order:	Sphaeropleales
Family:	Selenastraceae
Genus:	Monoraphidium Komárková-Legnerová
Type species
Monoraphidium neglectum (Berkeley) Komárková-Legnerová[1]
Species
M. braunii M. minutum M. dybowskii M. terrestre M. neglectum M. circinale M. contortum M. pusillum M. convolutum M. griffithii M. sp. Itas 9/21 14-6w M. saxatile M. sp. Itas 8/18 S-1d M. sp. Itas 9/21 14-1w M. sp. GK12 M. sp. Dek19

Monoraphidium consists of single cells, which are 2-182 by 1-8 micrometers. The cell is straight to lunate to sigmoid or helically shaped. Cells contain a single nucleus, a single parietal chloroplast and a single pyrenoid lacking a starch sheath (or no pyrenoid at all). Reproduction occurs asexually by autospores.^[1]

It is similar to and often confused with the related genus Ankistrodesmus, from which it differs by being typically unicellular.^[4]

Some species and strains of Monoraphidium, such as Monoraphidium neglectum, are promising candidates for commercial biofuel production.^[5]