Elongatocystis is an autotrophic green alga in the Oocystaceae family that is defined by its elongated type cell.

This genus was discovered in a rockpool at Belvedere River, Mpumalanga, South Africa and described by Krienitz and Bock in 2011 along with two other strains of Oocystaceae.

Elongatocystis cells exhibiting the bent boomerang shape are observed with divided nuclei and chloroplasts suggesting that its morphology aids in the division process.

[2] Additionally, the elongated shape of its cell could be attributed to a deformation or its relation to the genus Planctonema which could have further implications for the Oocystaceae.

[1] Elongatocystis was first observed by Krienitz and Bock through an article published in 2011 detailing three new strains of Oocystaceae that were collected in inland waters of Africa.

It is an autotrophic alga that resides in inland waters which suggests it is a primary producer in its ecological habitat and likely plays a role in the food web of other organisms.

[1] Elongatocystis is closely related to Ecballocystis in 18s rRNA phylogeny and has an established sister lineage with Crucigeniella rectangularis and Makinoella tosaensis.

This suggests that further taxonomic studies are required in order to accurately determine the placement of Oocystaceae family in the phylogenetic tree.