Microcystis

Microcystis
Microcystis aeruginosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Bacteria
Subkingdom:	Eubacteria
Phylum:	Cyanobacteria
Class:	Cyanophyceae
Order:	Chroococcales
Family:	Microcystaceae
Genus:	Microcystis Kützing, 1833
species
Many (see below)

Microcystis is the genus of freshwater cyanobacteria which includes the harmful algal bloom Microcystis aeruginosa.^[1]

Etymology

The generic moniker Microcystis derives from the Greek^[2] mikros ("small") + kystis ("bladder")

Characteristics

As the etymological derivation implies, Microcystis is characterized by small cells (of only a few microns' diameter), which lack individual sheaths.^[2]

The cells usually are organized into colonies (large colonies of which may be viewed with the naked eye) that begin in a spherical shape, but losing their coherence to become perforated or irregularly shaped over time.

The coloration of the protoplast is a light blue-green, appearing dark or brown due to optical effects of gas-filled vesicles; this can be useful as a distinguishing characteristic when using light microscopy.

Species

Dozens,^[3] including:

• Microcystis aeruginosa
• Microcystis argentea
• Microcystis elongata
• Microcystis holsatica
• Microcystis lutescens
• Microcystis marina
• Microcystis pallida
• Microcystis salina
• Microcystis thermalis
• Microcystis viridis

See also

• Cyanobacteria
• Harmful algal blooms

References

1. ^ "Chroococcales". EOL. http://www.eol.org/pages/3238. Retrieved 24 June 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Cyanobacteria: Microcystis". The Silica Secchi Disk. Connecticut College: The SilicaSecchi Disk. http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.edu/LucidKeys/Carolina_Key/html/Microcystis_Main.html. Retrieved 24 June 2011. 
3. ^ "Taxonomy Browser Genus: Microcystis". Taxonomy Browser Genus: Microcystis. Algae Base. http://www.algaebase.org/browse/taxonomy/?id=7066. Retrieved 24 June 2011.