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Spirulina/Arthrospira (Phormidiaceae)

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Diagnostic features

Unbranched blue-green cyanobacterial filaments with a helical twist. Crosswalls between cells are often hard to see. A fine mucilage sheath surrounds the filament, within which the filament may be motile. Heterocytes absent. Organelles absent from the cells, but granules may be common.

[Spirulina] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua Image
Spirulina (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Typical habitats

Planktonic in ponds, including sewage ponds.

Classification

Kingdom Bacteria
Phylum Cyanobacteria
Class Cyanophyceae
Order Oscillatoriales
Family Phormidiaceae
Common name Cyanobacteria