Lyngbya | |
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Lyngbya sp. | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Bacteria |
Phylum: | Cyanobacteria |
Class: | Cyanophyceae |
Order: | Oscillatoriales |
Family: | Oscillatoriaceae |
Genus: | Lyngbya AgardhExGomont, 1892[1] |
Species | |
Lyngbya is a genusofcyanobacteria, unicellular autotrophs that form the basis of the oceanic food chain.
As a result of recent genetic analyses, several new genera were erected from this genus: e.g., Moorea,[2] Limnoraphis,[3] Okeania,[4] Microseira,[5] and Dapis.[6]
Lyngbya species form long, unbranching filaments inside a rigid mucilaginous sheath. Sheaths may form tangles or mats, intermixed with other phytoplankton species. They reproduce asexually. Their filaments break apart and each cell forms a new filament.[7] The mats grow around atolls, salt marshes, or fresh water.[8]
Some Lyngbya species cause the human skin irritation called seaweed dermatitis.[9]
Some Lyngbya species can also temporarily monopolize aquatic ecosystems when they form dense, floating mats in the water.
Ingestion of Lyngbya is potentially lethal.[8] Most commonly, poisoning is caused by eating fish which have fed on Lyngbya or which have fed on other fish which have consumed Lyngbya.[8] This is called "ciguatera-like" poisoning.[8]
Lyngbya |
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