Chlamydomonadales genera

Volvox is a polyphyletic genus of chlorophyte green algae in the family Volvocaceae. Volvox species form spherical colonies of up to 50,000 cells, and for this reason they are sometimes called globe algae. First reported by Antonie van Leeuwenhoek in 1700, it is distinctive and easily identified in the microscope. It occurs in a variety of freshwater habitats and has a widespread, cosmopolitan distribution.

thumb|Drawings of Chlamydomonas caudata Wille. alt=|thumb|330px|Cross section of a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell thumb|Light micrograph of Chlamydomonas with two flagella just visible at bottom left thumb|Chlamydomonas globosa, again with two flagella just visible at bottom left

Pandorina is a genus of green algae in the family Volvocaceae. It is a common freshwater genus, and has a cosmopolitan distribution. Along with other algae such as Volvox, Eudorina and Chlamydomonas, it is a model organism for studying the origins and evolution of multicellularity.

thumb|right|240px|Gonium colony of 16 cells at nominal magnification of 450x.

Eudorina is a genus of green algae in the family Volvocaceae, containing about seven species. It has a cosmopolitan distribution in freshwater habitats.

Pleodorina is a genus of colonial green algae in the family Volvocaceae. It occurs in freshwater habitats and has a cosmopolitan distribution.

Haematococcus is a genus of algae in the family Haematococcaceae. It is a freshwater alga with a nearly cosmopolitan distribution, found from every continent except Antarctica.

Carteria is a genus of green algae in the family Chlamydomonadaceae. Carteria are similar in morphology to the common genus Chlamydomonas and differ by having four, rather than two, flagella at the vegetative stage.

Platydorina is a genus of microscopic green algae in the family Volvocaceae. It contains only one species, Platydorina caudata. It was described by Charles Atwood Kofoid in 1899.

Volvulina is a genus of colonial green algae in the family Volvocaceae. It is cosmopolitan, but rare.

Protosiphon is a genus of green algae in the class Chlorophyceae.

Chlorogonium is a genus of green algae in the family Haematococcaceae. It was first described by Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1837, with the type species Chlorogonium euchlorum; currently, around 30 species are accepted. They are found in freshwater habitats worldwide.

Apiocystis is a genus of algae belonging to the family Tetrasporaceae. It is found attached to freshwater aquatic algae or plants. The species of this genus are found in Europe and Northern America, and are widespread but generally uncommon.

Paulschulzia is a genus of green algae, specifically of the family Tetrasporaceae.

Golenkinia is a genus of green algae first described in 1894 by Robert Chodat. The genus is named for the Russian phycologist Mikhail Iljitsch Golenkin. Golenkinia species live in fresh water (including bodies of black water such as Winyah Bay) and are found around the world.

Astrephomene is a genus of green algae in the family Goniaceae, order Chlamydomonadales. The genus was first discovered in 1937 by Mary Pocock and later named by Pocock in 1953. The name comes from the Classical Greek roots a- (meaning "not") and strephomene (meaning "turning itself"), referring to its mode of reproduction. To date, the genus contains two species.

Brachiomonas is a genus of thalloid biflagellate green algae. These algae generally are found in marine or brackish waters, but can tolerate wide range of salinities. They may occur in freshwater pools near the sea and, occasionally, in polluted inland freshwater habitats.

Rhodochytrium is a genus of green algae in the family Chlorochytriaceae.

Pyrobotrys is a genus of green algae in the family Spondylomoraceae. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, found in fresh water rich in organic matter.

Basichlamys is a monotypic genus of colonial green algae in the family Tetrabaenaceae. The sole species is Basichlamys sacculifera. It is rare, but cosmopolitan in freshwaters.

Pteromonas is a genus of green algae in the family Phacotaceae. It has a cosmopolitan distribution, and mainly occurs in nutrient-rich freshwaters.

Yamagishiella is a genus of colonial green algae in the family Volvocaceae. It contains the single species Yamagishiella unicocca. It was first described in 1974 as Pandorina unicocca, and then transferred to a new genus in 1992. It is a freshwater species.

Pleurastrum is a genus of green algae, specifically of the Chlorophyceae. , it was the only genus in the family Pleurastraceae.

Polytomella is a genus of green algae in the family Dunaliellaceae. It is widespread in freshwater habitats worldwide. The algae is actually colourless. It has discarded the ability of photosynthesis, and lives by consuming compounds like acetate, butyrate, and alcohols. Thus, it's one of the rare examples of non-photosynthetic algae.

Asterococcus is a genus of green algae in the order Chlamydomonadales. It is planktonic in freshwater ponds and lakes, or benthic within mires and swamps. It is a common and widespread genus, but is rarely abundant.