Zmletiaceae

Zmletiaceae is a family name that appears in some classifications of green algae. The exact circumscription of the group is controversial, and it is not universally recognized in modern taxonomic databases. In many treatments, Zmletiaceae is treated as a small, poorly defined lineage within the Chlorophyta, with its limits and included genera varying between authors. The lack of clear diagnostic morphological features means that molecular data have become important in assessing its validity, but even with genetic analyses the placement of Zmletiaceae remains unsettled.

Genera formerly or occasionally placed in Zmletiaceae have included a few simple, filamentous or unicellular green algae, but there is no consensus on which genera are securely included. Because different studies use different sampling and gene markers, the composition of the family is highly unstable.

Distributionally, reported members of Zmletiaceae have been described from freshwater habitats and damp terrestrial environments in temperate to tropical regions. Ecologically, the group is presumed to be photoautotrophic, often forming thin filaments or colonies in stagnant waters or moist soils, but detailed life-history traits are poorly known.

Taxonomic status: Some sources treat Zmletiaceae as valid, others regard it as a synonym, or treat its genera as belonging to other families. Until a broad, consensus-based revision integrates morphology and genomics, Zmletiaceae is best described as a provisional or unsettled taxon within green algae.