These are yellow green algae which contain chlorophyll ‘a’ and chlorophyll ‘e’ or ‘c’. Besides chlorophylls they possess xanthophylls and beta carotene. The class xanthophyceae is divided into four orders: Heterochloridales, Heterococcidales, Heterotrichales and Heterosiphonales.
1. Heterochloridales
Examples: Heterochloris, Misclococcus, Chlorogloea
2. Heterococcidales
Examples: Halosphaera, Chlorothecium, Chlorobotrys
3. Heterotrichales
Examples: Tribonema, Heterodendron
4. Heterosiphonales
Examples: Botrydium, Vaucheria
