Synechococcus

Synechococcus is a genus of blue-green algae ( cyanobacteria ). The name is from the Ancient Greek συνέχεος coherently ', and κόκκος ' core ', is derived. The species of the genus live in the marine planktonic pelagic zone. There, the photoautotrophic species a substantial contribution to primary production contributes through photosynthesis. Some species are also found in fresh water. As a model organism in biology is the genome of a species, P. elongatus, has been sequenced.

Features

Synechococcus species are found unizellulär (single), rarely in pairs or in small groups. The cells have no or only very thin jelly coat, no gas vesicles and are colored blue green or red. Marine species of the genus show motility. Since the cells contain, besides chlorophyll, the pigment phycoerythrin, they show at appropriate excitation red autofluorescence. They are ovoid or cylindrical in shape and size between 0.6 microns and 1.5 microns.

Species (selection)

• Synechococcus aeruginosa
• Synechococcus bacillaris
• Synechococcus capitatus
• Synechococcus elongatus Naegeli (1849 ): Type species sequenced.