Microcystis Lemmermann, 1907, nom. et typ. cons.

Lectotype species: Microcystis aeruginosa (Kützing) Kützing

Original publication and holotype designation: Lemmermann, E. (1907). Algen I (Schizophyceen, Flagellaten, Peridineen). In: Kryptogamenflora der Mark Brandenburg und angrenzender Gebiete herausgegeben von dem Botanishcen Verein der Provinz Brandenburg. Dritter Band. ( Eds), pp. 1-304. Leipzig: Verlag von Grebrüder Borntraeger.

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Description: Unicellular - colonial; colonies gelatinous, free floating or attached to the substrate, microscopic, spherical, discoid or irregular, later usually macroscopic, amorphous, irregular, sometimes net-like, with numerous cells without own mucilaginous envelopes, irregularly distributed within the common slime, sometimes densely agglomerated; colonial mucilage colorless, usually homogeneous, fine, diffluent (staining !), rarely with the limited, sometimes refractive margin. Cells spherical or (after division) hemispherical, with homogeneous, blue-green, greyish or yellowish content, in several planktonic species with several up to numerous aerotopes; sometimes with visible chromatoplasm. Several strains toxic, and producing pcyclocitral. Cell division in 3 planes in successive generations, perpendicular to one another; daughter cells soon separate from one another, and grow into the original size and shape before the next division. Reproduction by the dissociation of colonies. Free floating in plankton of freshwater, more or less eutrophic water reservoirs (sometimes forming heavy water blooms). Several species live benthic in moors, epiphytic or epilithic in different types of stagnant and running waters and on wet rocks. Many species have world wide distribution (with exception of subpolar regions), but several taxa are ecologically and therefore also phytogeographically limited. Most of the non-planktonic species without ability to form gas vesicles probably belong to the genus Aphanocapsa.

Information contributed by: J. Komárek. The most recent alteration to this page was made on 2023-03-03 by M.D. Guiry.

Taxonomic status: This name is of an entity that is currently accepted taxonomically.

Gender: This genus name is currently treated as feminine.

Most recent taxonomic treatment adopted: Strunecký, O., Ivanova, A.P. & Mares, J. (2022 '2023'). An updated classification of cyanobacterial orders and families based on phylogenomic and polyphasic analysis (Review). Journal of Phycology 59(1): 12-51.

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Contributors
Some of the descriptions included in AlgaeBase were originally from the unpublished Encyclopedia of Algal Genera, organised in the 1990s by Dr Bruce Parker on behalf of the Phycological Society of America (PSA) and intended to be published in CD format. These AlgaeBase descriptions are now being continually updated, and each current contributor is identified above. The PSA and AlgaeBase warmly acknowledge the generosity of all past and present contributors and particularly the work of Dr Parker.

Descriptions of chrysophyte genera were subsequently published in J. Kristiansen & H.R. Preisig (eds.). 2001. Encyclopedia of Chrysophyte Genera. Bibliotheca Phycologica 110: 1-260.

Linking to this page: https://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=43294

Citing AlgaeBase
Cite this record as:
M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 03 March 2023. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. https://www.algaebase.org; searched on 19 April 2024