Chlorofilii

Chlorofilii is a term used in some non-formal or speculative discussions to denote a broad assemblage of organisms capable of photosynthesis with chlorophyll. It is not recognized as a formal taxonomic group in major biological databases, and its definition varies by author. In many uses, Chlorofilii functions as a convenience label for comparing the evolution of chlorophyll-based photosynthesis across lineages such as plants, green and other algae, and certain photosynthetic bacteria.

Because Chlorofilii is not a formal clade, membership is fluid. Some authors include members of the group Viridiplantae (green plants and green algae), as well as cyanobacteria and other phototrophs that use chlorophyll. Others restrict it to eukaryotic photosynthesizers that possess chloroplasts. The term therefore does not imply a single common ancestor; rather it highlights shared photosynthetic capacity across diverse lineages.

Characteristics commonly associated with Chlorofilii include phototrophy and dependence on light energy, with oxygenic photosynthesis present in many members. Pigment composition typically involves chlorophylls a and b, while accessory pigments vary by lineage. Cell structure ranges from unicellular to multicellular, with chloroplasts in eukaryotic members.

Habitat and ecology: Members occupy diverse environments, including oceans, freshwater, soils, and plant surfaces, contributing to primary production and energy flow in ecosystems.

History and usage: The term appears sporadically in reviews and speculative discussions; it is not adopted in formal taxonomy. In current scientific practice, researchers generally use established clades and ranks to discuss photosynthetic groups.

See also: Chlorophyll, Photosynthesis, Viridiplantae, Cyanobacteria.