Aphanocapsa / Aphanothece

General Description

  • Aphanocapsa and Aphanothece cells are small and considered microcolonies of picocyanobacteria (0.2-2.0 um cell sizes)
  • Cells are colonized within a mucilagenous sheath
  • Cell shape distinguishes these two genera; as Aphanocapsa has coccoid cells, while Aphanothece has rod-shaped cells
  • Cell colorations vary from gray, olive, to a bright blue-green, and sometimes appear colorless
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