A multilocus phylogeny of the desmid genus Micrasterias (Streptophyta): Evidence for the accelerated rate of morphological evolution in protists

► A multigene phylogeny was constructed for the genus Micrasterias. ► The existence of three periods of accelerated morphological evolution was detected. ► The branching pattern and cell size were significantly correlated with the phylogeny. ► We hypothesise that the genus Micrasterias evolved in North America.