Dictyosphaerium
Dictyosphaerium spp. · Phytoplankton
Under the microscope · Photo: Bryan Milstead / CC BY
How to identify Dictyosphaerium
- Under the microscope: small round or oval green cells held at the ends of fine, branching threads
- Whole colony sits in a clear jelly
- In the water: not visible
Similar species
Snowella and Woronichinia have a similar radiating look but are blue green; Sphaerocystis has no branching threads.
Profile
| Season | Summer and fall. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 55 F and up |
| Light | Moderate light |
| Depth | Open water |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Autospores |
| Habitat | Ponds, lakes and reservoirs, clear to nutrient rich. |
Why it matters in a lake
A harmless colonial green found in many lake counts.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chlorophyta |
| Class | Trebouxiophyceae |
| Order | Chlorellales |
| Family | Chlorellaceae |
| Scientific name | Dictyosphaerium spp. |
Chlamydomonas
Scenedesmus
Ankistrodesmus
Oocystis
Pediastrum
Desmodesmus
Monoraphidium
Chlorella
Sphaerocystis
CosmariumNeed a hand?
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