Synechococcus

Taxonomy

Order Synechococcales
Family Synechococcaceae
Genus Synechococcus

Morphology

Solitary or irregularly grouped cells, not forming distinct mucilaginous colonies. Individual cells without mucilaginous envelopes, or with fine, diffuse mucilage. Cells cylindrical to rod-shaped; (1.5)3-15(40) μm long x 0.4-3(6) μm wide; up to several times longer than wide; straight to slightly arcuate. Cells may remain joined in pairs following cell division. Cells pale blue-green, olive-green, or reddish; without gas vesicles; sometimes with granules. Cell division by binary fission, perpendicular to the longer axis, symmetrically or asymmetrically. 

Ecology

Synechococcus nidulans found in small waterbodies, mostly in temperate regions; Synechococcus sigmoideus common in nanoplankton of lakes; several species reported from soils, swamps, and littoral zones of lakes.

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. 117). 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