Book chapter
Archaeplastida: Diversification of Red Algae and the Green Plant Lineage
Reference Module in Life Sciences, pp 32-38
2026
Abstract
The Archaeplastida comprise major evolutionary lineages of photosynthetic organisms; the group includes a small enigmatic group of unicellular forms (Glaucophytes), the more familiar red algae, or seaweeds, and all the green algae and land plants on Earth. Each of these groups is monophyletic but the monophyly of all three in the Archaeplastida is a subject of intense recent research. Green algae and plants are arguably the most important for terrestrial animals, including humans, because the ancestors of green plants were able to invade land about a half a billion years ago and set the stage for the evolutionary colonization of land by animals. The great importance of Archaeplastida in the world's ecosystems and for human health and welfare is difficult to exaggerate. The group itself, as well as several others produced through secondary endosymbiosis, are responsible for most of the oxygen in our atmosphere. The three lineages of Archaeplastida contain most of the large algae, seaweeds, and plants that support life on Earth.
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Details
- Title
- Archaeplastida: Diversification of Red Algae and the Green Plant Lineage
- Creators
- Richard M. McCourt - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Reference Module in Life Sciences, pp 32-38
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]; Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105028823010
- Other Identifier
- 991022197426804721