Microcystis
RANK: Genus
TAXONOMY: Bacteria -> Terrabacteria group -> Cyanobacteria/Melainabacteria group -> Cyanobacteria -> Oscillatoriophycideae -> Chroococcales -> Microcystis
OVERVIEW:
Planktonic unicellular cyanobacteria that reproduce by binary fission in two (or possibly three?) planes at right angles to one another. Cells are spherical, 3–6 µm in diameter. May be united into colonial aggregates by mucilage, but are never enclosed by multilaminated sheath material. Gas vesicles are normally present.
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