''Raphidocelis subcapitata'', formerly known as ''Selenastrum capricornutum'' and ''Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata'' is a
microalga. This microalga presents a curved and twisted appearance like a sickle. The cells are normally presented in a solitary form. It has a length between 8 and 14 μm, and a width between 2 and 3 μm. It is commonly used as a
bioindicator
A bioindicator is any species (an indicator species) or group of species whose function, population, or status can reveal the qualitative status of the environment. The most common indicator species are animals. For example, copepods and other sma ...
species to assess the levels of nutrients or toxic substances in
freshwater environments. This species is quite sensitive to the presence of toxic substances including metals and has a ubiquitous distribution, so is broadly used in
ecotoxicology
Ecotoxicology is the study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms, especially at the population, community, ecosystem, and biosphere levels. Ecotoxicology is a multidisciplinary field, which integrates toxicology and ecology ...
. This species has been found to be more competitive than ''
Chara vulgaris'' at low sodium chloride concentrations, but ''C. vulgaris'' was more competitive under salt stress.
References
Sphaeropleales
{{Chlorophyceae-stub