Three new species of the genus ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ (Chlamydomonadales, Chlorophyceae) with the proposal of correct generic names

‘<i>Carteria</i>’ is a genus of quadriflagellate chlamydomonadalean green algae, however this genus is not thought to be a monophyletic group. In this study, we investigated nine strains of ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ newly isolated from China by morphological comparisons and molecular phylogeny of 18S rDNA and <i>rbc</i>L genes. Five strains could be identified as existing ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ species. Four strains with clearly different morphology and independent phylogenetic positions compared with the described ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ species were identified as three new species. Since the original type species, <i>Carteria cordiformis</i>, has been recognized as a prasinophyte alga, the generic name <i>Carteria</i> cannot be applied to other species previously assigned to ‘<i>Carteria</i>’. Six ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ species (including three new species) and one <i>Pseudocarteria</i> species of <i>Carteria</i>-Clade I were transferred to the genus <i>Corbierea</i>, and the description of this genus was emended. A new genus, <i>Staurocarteria</i> gen. nov. was proposed for <i>Carteria</i>-Clade II. Three new species of <i>Carteria</i> are described.Two correct generic names are proposed for several ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ species.This article contributes to the taxonomic revision of ‘<i>Carteria</i>’. Three new species of <i>Carteria</i> are described. Two correct generic names are proposed for several ‘<i>Carteria</i>’ species. This article contributes to the taxonomic revision of ‘<i>Carteria</i>’.