Lyngbya

Lyngbya
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria
Phylum: Cyanobacteria
Order: Oscillatoria
Genus: Lyngbya [1]
Agardh Ex Gomont, 1892
Species

Lyngbya aestuarii
Lyngbya bouillonii
Lyngbya confervoides
Lyngbya hieronymusii
Lyngbya kuetzingii
Lyngbya majuscula
Lyngbya polychroa
Lyngbya semiplena
Lyngbya hieronymusii
Lyngbya hieronymusii

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.

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Lyngbya Agardh Ex Gomont, 1892 ITIS. Retrieved 2011-09-24.
  2. ^ Lyngbya, Cyanobacteria, ALGAL-ED, Freshwater Ecology Laboratory, Connecticut College
  3. ^ "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.