Batrachospermaceae

Batrachospermaceae^[2] is a family of freshwater red algae (Rhodophyta), a group of reddish plants found in rivers and streams. These algae have a distinct life cycle called the "Lemanea-type," starting with small reproductive cells known as carpospores that grow into a form called chantransia. This leads to a sporophyte phase, during which a process called meiosis—where cells divide to create new reproductive cells—takes place in a specialized cell at the filament’s tip, known as the apical cell, responsible for growth. This division results in the gametophyte, the stage of the algae that produces reproductive structures.^[3] Various genera within this family are listed in the table below.

Batrachospermaceae
Batrachospermum moniliforme
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Clade:	Archaeplastida
Division:	Rhodophyta
Class:	Florideophyceae
Order:	Batrachospermales
Family:	Batrachospermaceae C.Agardh
Genera[1]
Acaropsporophycos Necchi, 2019 Balliopsis G.W.Saunders & Necchi, 2002 Batrachospermum Roth, 1797 Kumanoa Entwisle, M.L.Vis, W.B.Chiasson, Necchi & A.R.Sherwood, 2009 Lympha J.R.Evans, M.L.Vis & I.S. Chapuis, 2017 Montagnia Necchi & M.L.Vis 2019 Nocturama Entwisle & M.L.Vis, 2016 Nothocladus Skuja, 1934 Petrohua G.W.Saunders, 2007 Psilosiphon Entwisle, 1989 Sheathia Salomaki & M.L.Vis, 2014 Sirodotia Kylin, 1912 Torularia Bonnemaison 1828 Tuomeya Harvey, 1858 Virescentia (Sirodot), Necchi, D.C.Agostinho & M.L.Vis, 2018 Visia Necchi 2019 Volatus I.S. Chapuis & M.L.Vis, 2017

The structure of Batrachospermaceae is remarkable for its organization: each filament, or thread-like strand, grows from a single apical cell, a feature termed uniaxial.^[4] Inside their cells, they have pit connections—structures with two cap layers, one of which is enlarged—that help maintain strength and linkage between cells.^[3] These characteristics make Batrachospermaceae a notable group within the study of freshwater algae.

Genera in Batrachospermaceae

Genus	Authority	Number of species
Acarposporophycos[5]	Necchi	1
Balliopsis[6]	G.W. Saunders & Necchi	1
Batrachospermum[7]	Roth	34
Kumanoa[8][9]	Entwisle, M.L.Vis, W.B.Chiasson, Necchi & A.R.Sherwood	39
Lympha[10]	J.R.Evans, I.S.Chapuis & M.L.Vis	1
Montagnia[11]	Necchi, M.L.Vis & A.S.Garcia	2
Nocturama[12]	Entwisle & M.L.Vis	2
Nothocladus[13]	Skuja	18
Petrohua[14]	G.W.Saunders	1
Psilosiphon[15][13]	Entwisle	1
Sheathia[16]	Salomaki & M.L.Vis	19
Sirodotia[17][18]	Kylin	5
Torularia[19][20]	Bonnemaison	4
Tuomeya[21][22]	Harvey	1
Virescentia[23]	(Sirodot) Necchi, D.C.Agostinho & M.L.Vis	7
Visia[5]	Necchi	4
Volatus[24]	I.S.Chapuis & M.L.Vis	3