Calothrix crustacea is a species of cyanobacteria that is widespread in oceans worldwide.

Calothrix crustacea
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Cyanobacteria
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Nostocales
Family: Rivulariaceae
Genus: Calothrix
Species:
C. crustacea
Binomial name
Calothrix crustacea
Thuret ex Bornet & Flahault 1886[1]

Anatomy edit

Unusually for bacteria, the filaments of this species have an elongated base and a pointed tip with transparent hair at the end.[2] The filaments have coatings that are either firm or jelly-like, and they all are made up of concentric layers that are colored yellow or brown. The filament also grows like the root of a plant. Sometimes the filament sheds and can reproduce asexually by dropping fragments (hormogonia) off the stem.

Habitats edit

This species of cyanobacteria frequently coat coastal rocks and seaweeds. This species may also form the photosynthetic part of certain rocky shore lichens, such as Lichina pygmaea.

References edit

  1. ^ "Algaebase". www.algaebase.org.
  2. ^ "Calothrix crustacea Schousb. ex Thur". Soft-Bodied Stream Algae of California. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.