Skip to content

List of taxa included in this guide

Cyanobacteria

[Ammatoidea], X1000.. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Ammatoidea (Homoeotrichaceae)

Tapering to fine, colourless hairs
[Anabaena], Tomahawk Lagoon, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Anabaena (Nostocaceae)

Filaments composed of regular cells occasionally interrupted by specialised cells
[Aphanocapsa], Waipori River, X25. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Aphanocapsa (Merismopediaceae)

Cells small, irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly
[Aphanothece], Hayes Creek, X6. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Aphanothece (Synechococcaceae)

Cells small, irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly
[Calothrix], Kakanui River, X20. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Calothrix (Rivulariaceae)

Filament contains heterocytes
[Chamaesiphon], Tokomairiro River, X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Chamaesiphon (Chamaesiphonaceae)

Blue-green, grey, whitish or reddish - no organelles
[Chroococcus], Lake Rotoiti, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Chroococcus (Chroococcaceae)

Cells lack organelles
[Coleodesmium], Kakanui River, X9. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Coleodesmium (Microchaetaceae)

Filament contains heterocytes
[Cyanothece], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Cyanothece (Synechococcaceae)

Cell wall is smooth and featureless
[Dichothrix], Moke Creek, X15. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Dichothrix (Rivulariaceae)

Filament contains heterocytes
[Gloeocapsa], X400. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Gloeocapsa (Microcystaceae)

Cells lack organelles
[Homeothrix], Waipori River, X160. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Homoeothrix (Homoeotrichaceae)

Filaments do not contain heterocytes
[Hormoscilla], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Hormoscilla (Oscillatoriaceae)

Cells shorter than wide
[Lyngbya], X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Lyngbya (Oscillatoriaceae)

Cells shorter than wide
[Merismopedia], Taieri River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Merismopedia (Merismopediaceae)

Cells lack organelles
[Microcoleus], Moke Lake, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Microcoleus (Phormidiaceae)

Fine colourless hairs absent
[Microcystis] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Microcystis (Microcystaceae)

Cells small, irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly
[Nostoc], upper Taieri River, X16. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Nostoc (Nostocaceae)

Filaments composed of regular cells occasionally interrupted by specialised cells
[Oscillatoria], Kaikorai estuary, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Oscillatoria (Oscillatoriaceae)

Cells shorter than wide
[Phormidium], X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Phormidium (Phormidiaceae)

Most cells are as long as or longer than wide
[Placoma], Crookston Burn, X18. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Placoma (Hydrococcaceae)

Cells lack organelles
[Pseudanabaena], Tuapeka River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Pseudanabaena (Pseudanabaenaceae)

Most cells are as long as or longer than wide
[Rivularia], Kakanui River, X30. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Rivularia (Rivulariaceae)

Filament contains heterocytes
[Schizothrix] upper Clutha River, X12. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Schizothrix (Schizotrichaceae)

Filaments do not contain heterocytes
[Scytonema] tuft, X10. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Scytonema (Scytonemataceae)

Filament contains heterocytes
[Spirulina] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Spirulina/Arthrospira (Phormidiaceae)

Filaments are worm-like
[Stigonema], X40. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Stigonema (Stigonemataceae)

Branch points roughly equal
[Tolypothrix], Sowburn, X12. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Tolypothrix (Microchaetaceae)

Filament contains heterocytes
[Wilmottia], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Wilmottia (Phormidiaceae)

Most cells are as long as or longer than wide
[Xenococcus], Otago, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Xenococcus (Xenococcaceae)

Cells lack organelles

Diatoms

[Achnanthes], Lake Waihola, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Achnanthes cf inflata (Achnanthaceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Achnanthidium], north Taranaki swamp, X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Achnanthidium (Achnanthidiaceae)

Central raphe
[Asterionella], Lake Hayes, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Asterionella cf. formosa (Fragilariaceae)

Raphe absent
[Aulacoseira], Lake Hayes, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Aulacoseira granulata (Aulacoseiraceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Cerataulina], lower Taieri River, X160. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Cerataulina (Hemiaulaceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Cocconeis], Taieri River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Cocconeis placentula (Cocconeidaceae)

Central raphe
[Craticula molestiformis], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Craticula (Stauroneidaceae)

Central raphe
[Cyclotella], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Cyclotella cf stelligera (Stephanodiscaceae)

Circular
[Cymbella], X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Cymbella (Cymbellaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees; one end is a reflection of the other
[Diatoma], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Diatoma (Fragilariaceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Didymosphenia] on mucilaginous stalks, X200. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Didymosphenia (Gomphonemataceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees with one end broader than other
[Diploneis], Cluthe River, X1600. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Diploneis cf elliptica (Diploneidaceae)

Central raphe
[Encyonema], Shotover River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Encyonema (Cymbellaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees; one end is a reflection of the other
[Eolimna], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Eolimna (Naviculaceae)

Central raphe
[Epithemia], valve view, X1000. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Epithemia (Rhopalodiaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees; one end is a reflection of the other
[Eunotia sepentina], north Taranaki, X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Eunotia and relatives (Eunotiaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees; one end is a reflection of the other
[Fistulifera], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Fistulifera (Naviculaceae)

Central raphe
[Fragilaria], Waiorau tarn, X640 Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Fragilaria (Fragilariaceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Frustulia], Flemming River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Frustulia (Amphipleuraceae)

Central raphe
[Gomphoneis] on mucilaginous stalks, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Gomphoneis (Gomphonemataceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees with one end broader than other
[Gomphoneis] on mucilaginous stalks, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Gomphoneis (Gomphonemataceae)

Cells are joined by long stalks made of jelly
[Gyrosigma], Shag River, X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Gyrosigma (Pleurosigmataceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline 180 degrees, with the ends being opposite reflections of each other
[Hantzschia], Lake Tuakitoto, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Hantzschia (Bacillariaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees; one end is a reflection of the other
[Melosira], X1000. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Melosira varians (Melosiraceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Meridion], Cardrona tributary, X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Meridion cf circulare (Fragilariaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees with one end broader than other
Naviculoids, Waiwera River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Naviculoid diatoms (Naviculaceae)

Central raphe
[Nitzschia], Kaikorai tributary, X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whanua

Nitzschia (Bacillariaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline 180 degrees, with the ends being opposite reflections of each other
[Pinnularia], Lake Tuakitoto, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Pinnularia (Pinnulariaceae)

Central raphe
[Planothidium], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Planothidium (Achnanthidiaceae)

Central raphe
[Rhoicosphenia], X1600. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Rhoicosphenia cf curvata (Rhoicospheniaceae)

Central raphe
[Rhopalodia], valve view, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Rhopalodia (Rhopalodiaceae)

Rotational symmetry of cell face outline is 360 degrees; one end is a reflection of the other
[Sellaphora], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Sellaphora (Sellaphoraceae)

Central raphe
[Stauroneis], Horne Creek, X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Stauroneis cf anceps (Stauroneidaceae)

Central raphe
[Staurosira], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Staurosira (Fragilariaceae)

Raphe absent
[Surirella], north Taranaki, X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Surirella (Surirellaceae)

Raphe on edge of cell
[Tabellaria], upper Taieri River, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Tabellaria flocculosa (Tabellariaceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are brown
[Ulnaria], X320. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Ulnaria (Fragilariaceae)

Raphe absent

Green algae

[Actinastrum] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Actinastrum (Radiococcaceae)

Cells long and thin, with tapering ends
[Ankistrodesmus] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Ankistrodesmus (Radiococcaceae)

Cell outline long and thin
Arthrodesmus, X400. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Arthrodesmus (Desmidiaceae)

Cell outline has a deep constriction
[Bracteacoccus], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Bracteacoccus (Chlorococcaceae)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Chaetophora], Kakanui River, X6. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Chaetophora (Chaetophoraceae)

Filaments are one cell wide
[Chara] with oval oogonium, X6. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Chara (Characeae)

Structured as a main axis with whorls of branches at nodes
[Characium], Welcome Creek, north Otago, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Characium (Chlorococcaceae)

Cell outline elongated with basal holdfast
[Chlamydomonas], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Chlamydomonas (Chlamydomonadaceae)

Cell with rigid cell wall and motile
Chlorella (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Chlorella - like unicells (Chlorellaceae)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Chlorogonium] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Chlorogonium (Chlamydomonadaceae)

Cell with rigid cell wall and motile
[Chodatella] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Chodatella (Oocystaceae)

Cell wall ornamented with spines
[Cladophora], Wairuna River, Otago. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Cladophora glomerata (Cladophoraceae)

Filaments are one cell wide
[Closteriopsis] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Closteriopsis (Oocystaceae)

Cell outline long and thin
[Closterium], Lake Tuakitoto, X640 . Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Closterium (Closteriaceae)

Cell outline crescent-shaped
[Coccomyxa], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Coccomyxa/Pseudococcomyxa (Oocystaceae)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Coelastrum] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Coelastrum (Radiococcaceae)

Colonies have regular structure
[Coleochaete], X200. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Coleochaete (Coleochaetaceae)

Colony comprised of cells in flat sheets or skeins; cells lack contrictions
[Cosmarium], X400. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Cosmarium (Desmidiaceae)

Cell outline has a deep constriction
[Cylindrocystis], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Cylindrocystis (Mesotaeniaceae)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Desmidium], Duck Creek, Auckland, X50. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Desmidium (Desmidiaceae)

Cells have constrictions between them
[Desmodesmus], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Desmodesmus (Radiococcaceae)

Cells ellipsoidal
[Diacanthos] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Diacanthos (Oocystaceae)

Cell wall ornamented with spines
[Dictyosphaerium], Lake Rotoiti, X640. Photo: Manaaki Whenua

Dictyosphaerium (Dictyosphaeraceae)

Cells connected by branching threads
[Dimorphococcus]. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Dimorphococcus (Dictyosphaeraceae)

Cells connected by branching threads
[Draparnaldia], south Taranaki pond, X160. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Draparnaldia (Chaetophoraceae)

Branch are markedly unequal
[Elliptochloris], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Elliptochloris (Prasiolales incertae sedis)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Euastrum], Ngaere wetland, X1000. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Euastrum (Desmidiaceae)

Cell outline has a deep constriction
[Eudorina], Moke Lake, Otago, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Eudorina (Volvocaceae)

Cells embedded in a mass of spherical jelly
[Golenkinia] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Golenkinia (Micractiniaceae)

Cell wall ornamented with spines
[Haematococcus], X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Haematococcus (Chlamydomonadaceae)

Cell with rigid cell wall and motile
[Hyalotheca], Lake Tuakitoto, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Hyalotheca (Desmidiaceae)

Cells have constrictions between them
[Interfilum], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Interfilum paradoxum (Klebsormidiaceae)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Kirchneriella], Lake Rotorangi, Taranaki, X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Kirchneriella (Oocystaceae)

Cell outline crescent-shaped
[Klebsormidium], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiaceae)

Cell wall is smooth and featureless
[Micractinium] (sewage pond), X400. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Micractinium / Errerella (Micractiniaceae)

Colony is a tight mass of cells with long spines radiating outward
[Micrasterias], north Taranaki swamp, X400. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Micrasterias (Desmidiaceae)

Cell outline has a deep constriction
[Microspora], Mill Creek, Otago, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Microspora (Microsporaceae)

Cell walls composed of overlapping pieces
[Microthamnion], X1000. Photo: Phil Novis, Manaaki Whenua

Microthamnion (Microthamniaceae)

Branch points roughly equal
[Monostroma], Taieri River estuary, X8. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Monostroma (Monostromataceae)

Colony comprised of cells in flat sheets or skeins; cells lack contrictions
[Mougeotia], Hayes Creek, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Mougeotia (Zygnemataceae)

Cell wall is smooth and featureless
[Nitella], X9. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Nitella (Characeae)

Structured as a main axis with whorls of branches at nodes
[Oedogonium], Shag River, north Otago. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Oedogonium (Oedogoniaceae)

Chloroplasts visible inside cells are green or yellow-green
[Oocystis] (sewage pond), X1000. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Oocystis (Oocystaceae)

Cells containing membrane-bound organelles
[Pandorina] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Pandorina (Volvocaceae)

Cells embedded in a mass of spherical jelly
[Parallela], Heriot Burn, south Otago, X35. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Parallela (Palmellaceae)

Colony comprised of cells in flat sheets or skeins; cells lack contrictions
[Pediastrum] (sewage pond), X1000. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Pediastrum (Hydrodictyaceae)

Colonies have regular structure
[Pleurotaenium], north Taranaki swamp, X100. Photo: Taranaki Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Pleurotaenium (Desmidiaceae)

Cell outline has a deep constriction
[Polyedriopsis] (sewage pond), X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Polyedriopsis (Chlorococcaceae)

Cell wall ornamented with spines
[Quadrigula], Lake Rotoiti, X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Quadrigula (Oocystaceae)

Cells long and thin, with tapering ends
[Rhizoclonium], X640. Photo: Otago Regional Council & Manaaki Whenua

Rhizoclonium (Cladophoraceae)

Cell wall is smooth and featureless