The main characteristics of xanthophyceae are:
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The members of this family are commonly known as yellow green algae.
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Presence of chromatophores which are yellow green; pigments are xanthophyll or carotenoids, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll e.
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The reserve food materials are oil and leucosin.
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The members are unicellular motile to simple filamentous forms.
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Cell wall is rich in pectic compounds.
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Pyrenoids are absent.
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Sexual reproduction is isogamous.
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Zoospores having unequal flagella
