Isogenerataephyceae

a large group of brown algae (according to one system, a class), that includes several orders: Ectocarpales, Sphacelariales, Tylopteridales, and Cutleriales.

In the majority of Isogenerataephyceae, in contrast to Heterogenerataephyceae, the gametophytes and sporophytes are morphologically similar. Only in the genus Cutleria do they differ sharply. Isogenerataephyceae are among the overgrowth of the submarine portions of ships, hydrotechnical structures, and even other marine algae. The most widely distributed are Ectocarpales (which, developing as weeds, may bring harm to plantations of cultivated algae) and Sphacelariales, which are grown in small quantities in Japan as fish food.