Algal factsheet: Scytonema (Scytonemataceae)
Diagnostic features
Blue-green isopolar cyanobacterial filaments encased in a yellow-brown mucilage sheath. False branching is characteristically at right-angle bends, either forming a loop (prior to division) or two parallel branches at right angles to the original filament. Heterocytes cylindrical to barrel-shaped, intercalary, located throughout the filaments. Organelles absent from the cells, but granules/vesicles common.Typical habitats
Most of our records are from good quality streamsClassification
| Kingdom | Bacteria |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Cyanobacteria |
| Class | Cyanophyceae |
| Order | Nostocales |
| Family | Scytonemataceae |
| Common name | Cyanobacteria |