About 200 million years after the broader separation of animals, plants, and fungi, red and green algae evolved from a common ancestor. Green algae later gave rise to land plants, with all land plants descending from green algae around 475 million years ago. Both green algae and land plants share chlorophyll, a key to their photosynthetic abilities. Green algae are generally considered the first true plants, while red algae remain classified as algae.
Red-Green Algae Ancestors Split
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Red-Green Algae Ancestors Split
1.5 Billion Years Ago (+/- 100 million years)
Chloroplast refinement, chlorophyll variants
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Around 1.5 billion years ago, red and green algae diverged, establishing two major photosynthetic lineages from which all modern plants ultimately descend.
Subject: Plant Evolution.
Modern red and green algae share a common ancestor about 1.5 billion years ago. The green algae branch gave rise to plants about 475 million years ago. Before forests covered continents, before flowers colored landscapes, photosynthetic life was refining its chemistry in the oceans.
Flashcard.
What supergroup includes plants and red/green algae?.
Answer. Archaeplastida.
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