Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Cyanobacteria used to be called blue-green algae, but they are related to bacteria - procaryotes which lack a nucleus and fossil evidence suggests they have been around for over 3 billion years.
They produced the earth's first oxygen. Some species are able to produce potent toxins. I have always been fascinated with them and below are a few pictures of two species I photographed recently.
Nostoc is very common in fresh water ponds it can form spheres up to a tennis ball in size and look like like green grapes. They are encased within a mucilaginous matrix.The spheres seem to divide and form more spheres sometimes forming a chain that resembles a large molecule. They can withstand desiccation and are often found in close proximity to other algae. Some ciliates and rotifers appear to feed on them.
They produced the earth's first oxygen. Some species are able to produce potent toxins. I have always been fascinated with them and below are a few pictures of two species I photographed recently.
Nostoc is very common in fresh water ponds it can form spheres up to a tennis ball in size and look like like green grapes. They are encased within a mucilaginous matrix.The spheres seem to divide and form more spheres sometimes forming a chain that resembles a large molecule. They can withstand desiccation and are often found in close proximity to other algae. Some ciliates and rotifers appear to feed on them.
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Re: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
What are these? They don't look like any bacteria I've ever seen. Oh I see! They are what I have called "Blue Green Algae." I've seen these a lot.
Re: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Nice images, especially the first one!
Blue green algae are cyanobacteria.DonSchaeffer wrote: ↑Fri Jul 03, 2020 2:51 amWhat are these? They don't look like any bacteria I've ever seen. Oh I see! They are what I have called "Blue Green Algae." I've seen these a lot.
Zeiss Photomicroscope III BF/DF/Pol/Ph/DIC/FL/Jamin-Lebedeff
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Re: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Very good work.
Thanks You.
Thanks You.
Re: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Great images! I really appreciate that you add the technique and objective info.
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Re: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
Acridine Orange is a powerful mutagen that causes frameshift mutations in DNA. Great image
Gerard
Gerard
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Re: Cyanobacteria in Freshwater ponds
I didn't realize how ancient these Cyanobacteria are and how important that have been to the generation of oxygen and shaping life on the planet. I won't hate them any more.