Aphanocapsa

Taxonomy

Order Chroococcales
Family Microcystaceae
Genus Aphanocapsa

Morphology

Typically microscopic colonies (in some species macroscopic), which are roughly spherical, flat or irregular in shape. Colonies typically contain many irregularly distributed cells, which may be either densely or sparsely arranged within the colony. Colonial mucilage usually colorless, homogeneous, with a diffuse margin; individual cells usually do not have their own distinct mucilaginous envelopes (cells rarely with a fine individual envelope). Cells are spherical, or hemispherical after cell division, and 0.4-6(12) μm in diameter; may remain in pairs, or groups of four, following cell division. Cells do not possess gas vesicles. Among freshwater species, cell color ranges from pale to bright blue-green to olive-green.

Ecology

Species occur in subaerial, soil, and aquatic habitats. In North America, this genus has been reported from both planktic and benthic habitats.  

References

Johansen, J. R., & Komárek, J. (2015). Coccoid Cyanobacteria. In J. D. Wehr, R. G. Sheath, & J. P. Kociolek (Eds.), Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification (2nd ed., pp. 91-95). Waltham, MA: Elsevier.

Komárek, J. & Anagnostidis, K. (2008). Cyanoprokaryota-1. Teil/Part 1: Chroococcales. In H. Ettl, G. Gärtner, H. Heynig, & D. Mollenhauer (Eds.), Süßwasserflora von Mitteleuropa (Vol. 19/1, p. 146). Heidelberg, Germany: Spektrum.

Strunecký, O., Ivanova, A.P., & Mareš, J. (2023). An updated classification of cyanobacterial orders and families based on phylogenomic and polyphasic analysis. Journal of Phycology, 59: 12-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.13304