Species: Microcystis flos-aquae
English Name: Microcystis flos-aquae
Chinese Name: 水華微囊藻
Family: Microcystaceae
Description:
A gas-vacuolate cyanobacterium species that forms colonies of cells in freshwater. The dominance of these species is attributed to their ability to float in water and their ability to regulate their buoyancy as a response to environmental changes. The cell diameters of these species are of 2.5-5.5 micrometers.
© Oct 2007, C.F. Carter
© Alla Alster; Tamar Zohary
Photos used under a Creative Commons license
References:
-Qiu Yi Jian, Ung Wai Kin, and Kong Yi Jun, 2011. Atlas of Common Harmful Freshwater Algae in Macao. Macau University of Science and Technology Publishing.
-M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2015. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 01 August 2015.
-Chu, Zhaosheng et al. 2007. Buoyancy regulation of Microcystis flos-aquae during phosphorus-limited and nitrogen-limited growth. Published by Oxford University Press.
-Doers, Mary P. and Parker, Dorothy L. 2008. Properties of Microsystis aeruginosa and M. flos-aquae (Cyanophyta) in Culture: Taxonomic Implications. Published in Journal of Phycology.