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Rivularia (Rivulariaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Densely united, heteropolar cyanobacterial filaments, forming mounds attached to surfaces. Filaments have heterocytes at their bases against the substrate and taper to long hair-like cells at the tips. Akinetes are lacking (cf. Gloeotrichia). False branching absent; filaments divide by development of an intercalary heterocyte, which dissociates from the parent filament and remains parallel to it within the colony. Organelles are absent from the cells.

[Rivularia], Kakanui River, X30. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Rivularia, Kakanui River, X30. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua
[Rivularia], X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua Image
Rivularia, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Streams, rivers or lakes.

Classification

Kingdom Bacteria
Phylum Cyanobacteria
Class Cyanophyceae
Order Nostocales
Family Rivulariaceae
Common name Cyanobacteria