Landcare Research - Manaaki Whenua

Landcare-Research -Manaaki Whenua

Algal factsheet: Pseudanabaena (Pseudanabaenaceae)


Diagnostic features

Unbranched cyanobacterial filaments of small cylindrical blue-green cells. Filaments appear to have slight gaps between cells in addition to the constrictions at cross walls, due to the presence of aerotopes (agglomerations of gas vesicles) at the cell poles. Blue-green colour inside the cells is often denser at the edges, due to peripheral location of thylakoid membranes. Organelles absent from cells.

Typical habitats

Streams of moderate to good water quality

Notes

Small and easily overlooked

Classification

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