Algae, Cyanobacteria, other bacteria and viruses field guide


Algae is a photosynthetic plant that grows in water. Macroalgae are large and complex (e.g. seaweed). Microalgae are microscopic and simple, with each individual plant – or cell –  being invisible to the naked eye. Microalgae can be found in rivers, dams, lakes, waterways, and oceans. While individual cells can't be seen with the naked eye, together microalgae can grow and group together, turning the water it lives and grows in shades of green, red, and gold. In some cases, this microalgae can be bio-luminescent. (https://www.uts.edu.au/climate-change-cluster/our-research/deep-green-biotech-hub/education-and-outreach/what-algae)

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a type of microscopic, algae-like bacteria which inhabit freshwater, coastal and marine waters. Cyanobacteria photosynthesise like plants and have similar requirements for sunlight, nutrients and carbon dioxide to grow and produce oxygen. There are many different varieties of cyanobacteria. While often a green or blue-green colour, they can also be white, brown, blue, yellow-brown, or red. (https://www.waterquality.gov.au/issues/blue-green-algae)


Algae, Cyanobacteria, other bacteria and viruses



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Staurastrum sagittarium (Freshwater Algae)

Stigeoclonium helveticum (Freshwater algae)

Stigeoclonium sp. (a green algae)

Stigeoclonium sp.
Stigeoclonium sp.
Stigeoclonium sp.

Tetraspora gelatinosum (A green freshwater algae)

Tetraspora gelatinosum
Tetraspora gelatinosum
Tetraspora gelatinosum

Tortitaenia sp. (genus) (A single-celled freshwater algae)

Tortitaenia sp. (genus)
Tortitaenia sp. (genus)
Tortitaenia sp. (genus)

Trentepohlia sp. (genus) (A filamentous chlorophyte green algae)

Trentepohlia sp. (genus)
Trentepohlia sp. (genus)
Trentepohlia sp. (genus)

Tribonema sp. (A golden-green freshwater algae)

Tribonema sp.
Tribonema sp.
Tribonema sp.

Triploceras gracile (Freshwater Algae)

Uronema confervicolum (A green freshwater algae)

Uronema confervicolum
Uronema confervicolum
Uronema confervicolum

Vaucheria sp. (Velvet Moss)

Vaucheria sp.
Vaucheria sp.
Vaucheria sp.

Zygnema sp. (A freshwater algae)

Zygnema sp.
Zygnema sp.
Zygnema sp.

Zygnemaceae (family) (Silkweed (A freshwater algae))

Zygnemaceae (family)
Zygnemaceae (family)
Zygnemaceae (family)

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1,902,143 sightings of 21,178 species in 9,368 locations from 13,029 contributors
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