Algae - Microcystis

Figure 1: Microcystis under scope

Name: Microcystis

Common name: Cyanobacteria
Family: Microcystaceae
Collection Date: N/A- provided unknown sample by lab professor
Habitat: Pond
Location: James H. Barrow Field Station Duck Pond
Description: Colonial green cells without any apparent organelles.  Random shape of colony, somewhat circular.  

Key Used: Landcare Research online guide- identification - freshwater algae- http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/algae/identification-guide/identify/guideIdentification
Process Steps:  a.)Selection of habit: Alga are colonial b.)Colour of cell contents: Green or blue-green c.)Do the cells contain organelles?: Cells lack organelles d.) Colony Type: Cells small irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly.  

e.)Cells Small irregularly dispersed in homogenous jelly: cells small, packed densely in mucilage, forming randomly shaped colonies.
Key to Identification :Freshwater Algae. (1996-2016). Retrieved September 7, 2016, from http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz/resources/identification/algae/identification-guide/identify/guide
Family Name: M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 2016. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. http://www.algaebase.org; searched on 13 October 2016.