Nodularia





		Genus: Nodularia \| Cyanobacteria Species in photographs and illustration: Nodularia spumigena, from Osoyoos Lake, British Columbia Order: Nostocales Family: Nostocaceae Click on illustration to enlarge Description: Filaments may be solitary, or form clumps or mats. Cells are short and barrel shaped, and width always exceeds length. Nodularia spumigena have aerotopes (groups of gas vesicles); they are one of four planktonic species that do. Species in this group may form dense blooms in the ocean or river estuaries, brackish coastal lakes and lagoons, and high-salinity inland lakes and reservoirs. Produces nodularin, a potent natural toxin. Cell Size: Distribution: Worldwide

This Phytoplankton Identification page is affiliated with CeNCOOS and HABMAP, and is maintained by the Kudela Lab at the University of California Santa Cruz. Details about site history, funding, and sources of information and images can be found here.