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Many of these images were taken from field samples. The measurements are approximate and not reliable for taxonomic use. It is hoped that the images will provide field technicians with some help in recognizing the creatures in the samples they have collected. Many of these pictures illustrate certain characteristics that are important in the ongoing discussion of morphological determination of cyanobacteria. Beggiatoa and "Chloroflexus" are not cyanobacteria, but they are included here because they are found in the same habitats as cyanobacteria, and because they could be confused with cyanobacteria. If you disagree with the taxonomic designations given here please submit your comments for inclusion.
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Spirulina on the Move - Spirulina gyrating in solution.
Woodruffia grazing on Phormidium - Four separate video clips demonstrating avoidance mechanisms.
Anabaena circinalis - Measurement unavailable. probably 400x
Anabaena flos-aquae enlarged 2500X
Anabaena "laxa" - ID for this complex is of course tenuous--see next entry. Measurement unavailable. probably 400x
Anabaena "laxa" - From the same sample as above, a few weeks later. Note that the akinete is now adjacent the heterocyst. It now keys out to Anabaena "cylindrica". 400x
Anabaena scheremetievi - 400x phase contrast
Anabaena scheremetievi - A slight hint of a sheath is visible. 400x
Anabaena scheremetievi - 400x
Anabaena sperica, 1600X
Anabaena spherica - 400x
Anabaena spiroides - The line is 20 microns. 200x
Anabaena torulosa - 400x
Anabaena torulosa - Is it Synecococcus? No, it is Anabaena torulosa akinetes. 400x
Anabaena sp. - (Unidentified) No speculations upon the species. 400x
Anabaena sp. - (Unidentified) No speculations upon the species. 400x
Anabaena sp. - (Unidentified) No speculations upon the species. 400x
Anabaena sp. - (Unusual and contorted) Akinetes are round, so it is probably not A. circinalis. Could be A. spiroides in an unusual state. 200x.
Anabaena sp. - (Unusual and contorted) The same specimen as above at 100x.
Anabaena sp. - Probably A. scheremetievi, but akinetes were absent. A hint of a sheath is barely visible. 400x
Anabaena sp. - Probably A. circinalis, but akinetes were absent. 1000x
Anabaena sp. - Possibly A. viguieri, but the akinetes are too broad. 400x.
Anabaena sp., from freshwater lake in Oregon, 100X
Anabaena sp., from freshwater lake in Oregon, 100X
Anabaena sp., from freshwater lake in Oregon, 200X
Anabaena sp., from freshwater lake in Oregon, 100X. Note the fabulous germinating akinetes.
Anabaena sp. with symbiont bacteria (possibly Zoogloea) around heterocysts
Anabaenopsis circularis - The central pair of heterocysts is clearly visible. 200x
Anabaenopsis circularis - A developing pair of heterocysts is visible in the center of the trichome. Note the bacteria attached to it. 400x (phase contrast)
Anabaenopsis circularis - Same as above without phase contrast. 400x
Anabaenopsis sp. bloom in Bedetti Lake, Santo Tome, Santa Fe, Argentina
Anabaenopsis sp. bloom in Bedetti Lake, Santo Tome, Santa Fe, Argentina
Anabaenopsis sp. bloom in Bedetti Lake, Santo Tome, Santa Fe, Argentina
Anacystis nidulans TEM of semi-thin section (200 nm). See protocol.
Anacystis nidulans TEM of semi-thin section (200 nm) See protocol.
Anacystis nidulans TEM of semi-thin section (300 nm) See protocol.
Anacystis nidulans TEM of semi-thin section (300 nm) See protocol.
Anacystis nidulans TEM of semi-thin section (500 nm) See protocol.
Anacystis nidulans TEM of semi-thin section (500 nm) See protocol.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae - Akinetes and heterocyst clearly visible. Measurement unavailable. probably 400x
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae - Colony. Measurement unavailable. probably 100x
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae - Colony. Akinetes absent. 400x
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae strain 1401/5. Autofluorescence image.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae strain 1401/5. Autofluorescence image.
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae strain 1401/5. Autofluorescence image.
Arthrospira jenneri - Cross-walls obscured by cytoplasmic granules (sorry). 400x
Beggiatoa alba - 400x
Beggiatoa alba - Cropped portion of image above at higher resolution.
Bloom in waters at the Hartebeespoort dam in South Africa
Bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena circinalis on the St. Johns River, FL
Bloom of Aphanizomenon flos aquae in a lake in Surrey, UK
Bloom of Microcystis in Crescent Lake, FL
Bloom in Doctor's Lake
Bloom in Lake Ponchartrain, LA, an oligohaline estuary
Bloom of Microcystis aeruginosa and Anabaena circinalis contaminated by a boat on the St. Johns River, FL
Bloom in agricultural setting in Missouri
Bloom in agricultural setting in Missouri
Bloom in agricultural setting in Missouri
Bloom in agricultural setting in Missouri
Bloom in agricultural setting in Missouri
Calothrix sp. showing terminal heterocysts
Chloroflexus sp. - Unknown phytoplankton from a fish pond. Speculation: Chloroflexus. 400x
Chloroflexus sp. - Wider view higher resolution image of specimen above.
Collecting cyanobacteria from a large bloom
Cyanosarcina sp. from a pulp and paper waste-treatment system in Brazil
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii - Heterocysts and akinetes visible. 400x
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii - 400x phase contrast
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii - Heterocyst visible. 400x
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii - Akinetes (only) visible. 400x phase contrast
Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii - Heterocyst visible. 400x phase contrast
Cylindrospermum muscicola - 400x
Cylindrospermum muscicola - Surprise! It is not Pseudanabaena, but C. muscicola, without akinetes, but with a developing heterocyst. 400x phase contrast
Cylindrospermum sp. str. PCC 7417
Cylindrospermum sp., 1600X
Cylindrospermum sp., 1600X
Eubacterium - Unidentified bacterium pays Euglena a visit. 1000x
Geitlerinema sp. from a pulp and paper waste-treatment system in Idaho
Girvanella sp. in algae oncolites from the Lower Cambrian Mule Spring Limestone, Waucoba Spring, Death Valley National Park
Gloeocapsa sp. together with two algae
"Gloeotrichia" - Akinete and heterocyst clearly visible. Measurement unavailable. 400x
"Gloeotrichia" - Colony. Measurement unavailable. 100x
Leptolyngbya foveolarum f maior
Lyngbya sp. showing classical sheath and terminal differentiation in the lower filament
Lyngbya sp. showing formation of a coil at the end of a "hairpin" formation
Lyngbya sp. - (Unidentified) No speculations upon the species. 200x
Lyngbya sp. - (Unidentified) No speculations upon the species. Note that one has no visible sheath. 200x
Lyngbya sp. - Same specimen as above. 400x phase contrast
Lyngbya sp. - (Unidentified) Possibly birgei. 200x
Lyngbya sp. - Social gathering of the above species. 200x
Lyngbya sp., two cells are leaving the shell
Lyngbya sp. at 100 X.
Mat Community Knit strings of cyanobacteria from green layer of a microbial mat from Great Sippewissett Saltmarsh, Falmouth, MA
Mat Community Cross-section of a microbial mat from Great Sippewissett Saltmarsh, Falmouth, MA
Merismopedia - Colony of Merismopedia (Agmenellum [Drouet], Synechocystis Low GC cluster [Waterbury and Rippka]). 200x
Merismopedia elegans, 640X
Microcoleus sp. - One of those in the anomalous Microcoleus/Symploca/Lyngbya/Take-a-guess range. 400x
Microcystis aeruginosa enlarged 2500X
Microcystis aeruginosa strain PCC 7806. Autofluorescence image.
Microcystis aeruginosa strain PCC 7806. Autofluorescence image.
Microcystis aeruginosa strain PCC 7806. Autofluorescence image.
Microcystis aeruginosa strain PCC 7806. Autofluorescence image.
Microcystis aeruginosa strain PCC 7806. Autofluorescence image.
Microcystis aerogenosa strain 1450/10 in very old (6 month) stationary phase cultures imaged with autofluoresence. 1000X
Microcystis aerogenosa strain 7806 in very old stationary phase cultures imaged with autofluoresence. Note transient "bright strike" feature. 1000X
Microcystis aerogenosa strain 7806 in very old (100 d) stationary phase cultures imaged with phase contrast. Note multi-planar division. 1000X
Microcystis aerogenosa strain 7806 in very old (100 d) stationary phase cultures imaged with phase contrast. Note narrow sheath. 1000X
Microcystis aerogenosa. 100X
Microcystis sp. bloom
Microcystis sp. - Becoming confluent. 200x
Microcystis sp. bloom from bird's eye view
Microcystis aeruginosa bloom, Lake Mokoan, Victoria, Australia.
Microcystis sp. - Separate colonies. 200x
Microcystis sp., bloom, Grandview Garden Park, Beijing
Mixture - Oscillatoria cf. chalybea, Planktothrix agardhii, and Anabaena spiroides. 200x
Mixture - Oscillatoria cf. chalybea, Planktothrix agardhii, and Arthrospira jenneri. 200x
Mixture, including Thiothrix and Oscillatoria sp.
Mixture, including Spirulina and Microcoleus sp. and diatoms together with Thiopediasp.
Mixture of cyanobacteria from microbial mat community
Mystery Bug - Truly strange. Spirulina major inside a bundle. 400x
Mystery Bug - Unidentified filament. Is it made of diatoms, desmids, cyanobacteria, or the unknown? 400x
Mystery Bug A - Planktothrix agardhii with a swollen terminal cell. 200x. For Mystery Bugs A through E, it has been suggested that the swollen terminal cells are fungal (chytrid) fruiting bodies (sporangia) as hyphae have been observed running the length of similar trichomes.
Mystery Bug B - Planktothrix agardhii with a double swollen terminal cell. 200x. See Mystery Bug A.
Mystery Bug C - Another odd Planktothrix agardhii. 400x phase contrast. See Mystery Bug A.
Mystery Bug D - Another odd Planktothrix agardhii. 400x phase contrast. See Mystery Bug A.
Mystery Bug E - Same as above without phase contrast. 400x. See Mystery Bug A.
Mystery wavy cyanobacteria
Mystery cyanobacteria in a colony
Mystery cyanobacteria showing vessicles
Nodularia spumigena enlarged 1250X
Nodularia sp. bloom in situ from an undersea porthole in the Baltic Proper
Nostoc (Anabaena) azollae - Heterocyst clearly visible. 400x
Nostoc (Anabaena) azollae - Numerous akinetes visible. 400x
Nostoc sp. - Possible germling. 400x
Nostoc sp. - Possible colony or is it a strange type of Anabaena spherica?. The only thing for sure is that nothing is for sure. 200x
Nostoc sp., 130X
Nostoc sp. at 10X
Nostochopsis sp., cell and branching
Nostochopsis sp., gross structure
Nostochopsis sp., detailed image
Nostochopsis sp., pediellate heterocyst
Nostochopsis sp., intercalary heterocyst
Oscillatoria agardhii - Autofluorescence image.
Oscillatoria cf. chalybea - With Planktothrix agardhii, and possible Raphidiopsis sp. 200x
Oscillatoria "chlorina" - Quotes represent the contributor's resentment at identifying cyanobacteria using color. 400x
Oscillatoria geminata - 400x
Oscillatoria limosa, 640X
Oscillatoria princeps - 200x
Oscillatoria princeps - 100x
Oscillatoria princeps - Social gathering with some friends. 200x
Oscillatoria splendida - 400x phase contrast
Oscillatoria sp. - The famous "big Oscillatoria". Species not known. It may be undescribed. 200x
Oscillatoria sp. - Note the granules in the terminal cell, along with its thickened membrane. 400x
Oscillatoria sp. - With the bright light rendering its striking granules more visible. Note the spiral arrangement of the granules. 100x
Oscillatoria sp. - The same specimen as above. 200x
Oscillatoria sp. - At low magnification. 40x
Oscillatoria sp. together with a Synechocystis microcolony. Note the numerous bacteria in the background.
Oscillatoria sp., 640X
Oscillatoria sp., likely a hormogonium, from a pulp and paper waste-treatment system in Brazil
Phormidium retzii - Tentative identification. 200x
Phormidium uncinatum - Tentative identification. 400x phase contrast
Phormidium uncinatum - Same as above without phase contrast. 200x
Phycobilisome diagram Each disk in the phycobilisome structure represents a hexameric aggregate, (alpha-beta)66, of a phycobiliprotein complexed with a linker protein: Phycoerythrin = red, Phycocyanin = blue, Allophycocyanin = light blue. The green elements are the two PSII reaction centers that associate with each phycobilisome.
Planktothrix (Oscillatoria) agardhii - With visible pseudovacuoles. 400x phase contrast
Planktothrix rubescens. 100x.
Raphidiopsis curvata - Mixed with some straight chains that are either more Raphidiopsis or Cylndrospermopsis raciborskii without akinetes or heterocysts. 400x
Raphidiopsis curvata - Same as above with phase contrast
Raphidiopsis cf. mediterranea - Could be R. brookii. 400x
Raphidiopsis cf. mediterranea - 100x
Raphidiopsis curvata - 200x
Raphidiopsis cf. mediterranea - Pseudovacuoles clearly visible. 400x phase contrast
Spirulina major - 400x phase contrast
Spirulina sp. (Arthrospira) culture contaminated by brown swans in South Bend, IN.
Columnar Stromatolites and Thrombolites from tidal channel at Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas
Stromatolite Cross-section, columnar procaryotic stromatolite grown on Calianassa burrow. Bar = 1 cm.
Stromatolite Photomicrograph, thin section of prokaryotic stromatolite showing alternating layers of dense micrite and coarse detritus.
Stromatolite Photomicrograph, thin section of eukaryotic stromatolite showing undulose laminations formed by a combination of eukaryotic algal and cyanobacterial activities.
Stromatolites found in Middle Proterozoic formations of the Hakatai Shale in Grand Canyon National Park.
Stromatolites found in Middle Proterozoic formations of the Hakatai Shale in Grand Canyon National Park. Lens cap is 55 mm.
Stromatolites found in Middle Proterozoic formations of the Hakatai Shale in Grand Canyon National Park. Lens cap is 55 mm.
Stromatolites found in Middle Proterozoic formations of the Hakatai Shale in Grand Canyon National Park.
Frozen Stromatolites, Shark's Bay, Australia
Frozen Stromatolites, Shark's Bay, Australia
Frozen Stromatolite Mat, Shark's Bay, Australia
Frozen Stromatolite, Shark's Bay, Australia
Frozen Stromatolites, Shark's Bay, Australia
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Living Stromatolites, Salda Lake, Turkey
Stromatoids, dry lake bed near Agaean Sea
Stromatoids, dry lake bed near Agaean Sea
Stromatoids, dry lake bed near Agaean Sea
Thrombolite Heads heavily overgrown by Lee Stocking Island, Bahamas
Thrombolite of modern origin from Lee Stocking Channel, Bahamas. Bar = 1 cm.
Thrombolite Photomicrograph, thin section showing boundary between micritic clot and detritus-rich sediment pocket
Trichodesmium sp., Nomarski optics, 1000x
Trichodesmium sp., Nomarski optics, 1000x
Trichodesmium sp., Phase contrast, 1000x
Trichodesmium sp., Fluorescence optics, 1000x
Trichodesmium sp., Fluorescence optics, 1000x
Trichodesmium sp., Phase contrast, 1000x