Lyngbya

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Lyngbya
Lyngbya sp.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Bacteria
Phylum: Cyanobacteria
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Oscillatoriales
Family: Oscillatoriaceae
Genus: Lyngbya
Agardh Ex Gomont, 1892[1]
Species

Lyngbya is a genus of cyanobacteria, unicellular autotrophs that form the basis of the oceanic food chain.

As a result of recent genetic analyses, several new genera were erected from this genus: e.g., Moorea,[2] Limnoraphis,[3] Okeania,[4] Microseira,[5] and Dapis.[6]

Lyngbya species form long, unbranching filaments inside a rigid mucilaginous sheath. Sheaths may form tangles or mats, intermixed with other phytoplankton species. They reproduce asexually. Their filaments break apart and each cell forms a new filament.[7] The mats grow around atolls, salt marshes, or fresh water.[8]

Some Lyngbya species cause the human skin irritation called

seaweed dermatitis.[9]

Some Lyngbya species can also temporarily monopolize aquatic ecosystems when they form dense, floating mats in the water.

Ingestion of Lyngbya is potentially lethal.[8] Most commonly, poisoning is caused by eating fish which have fed on Lyngbya or which have fed on other fish which have consumed Lyngbya.[8] This is called "ciguatera-like" poisoning.[8]

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