Lyngbya
| Lyngbya | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Bacteria |
| Phylum: | Cyanobacteria |
| Order: | Oscillatoria |
| Genus: | Lyngbya [1] Agardh Ex Gomont, 1892 |
| Species | |
|
Lyngbya aestuarii |
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Lyngbya is a genus of cyanobacteria, unicellular autotrophs that form the basis of the oceanic food chain.
Lyngbya form long unbranching filaments inside a rigid mucilage sheath. Sheaths may form tangles or mats, intermixed with other phytoplankton species. Lyngbya reproduce asexually, their filaments break apart and each cell forms a new filament.[2]
Some Lyngbya cause the human skin irritation called seaweed dermatitis.[3]
Some Lyngbya species can also temporarily monopolize aquatic ecosystems when they form dense floating mats in the water.
[edit] Further reading
[edit] References
- ^ Lyngbya Agardh Ex Gomont, 1892 ITIS. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
- ^ Lyngbya, Cyanobacteria, ALGAL-ED, Freshwater Ecology Laboratory, Connecticut College
- ^ "Seaweed dermatitis". New Zealand Dermatological Society. 2007-02-24. http://www.dermnetnz.org/dermatitis/plants/seaweed.html.
Guiry, M.D.; Guiry, G.M. (2008). "Lyngbya". AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org/search/genus/detail/?genus_id=42975.
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