Dinobryon
Dinobryon spp. · Phytoplankton
Under the microscope · Photo: Petr Knotek / CC BY
Also called Chrysophyte
How to identify Dinobryon
- Under the microscope: vase or cone shaped clear cases (loricas) stacked into branching tree like colonies
- Each case holds a golden brown cell with two flagella
- Colonies swim slowly and spin
- In the water: blooms can cause a fishy or violet like odor
Similar species
Uroglena forms round balls of naked cells instead of vase shaped cases; Synura colonies are balls of scaly, pear shaped cells.
Profile
| Season | Spring and early summer, often right after the diatom bloom; also under ice. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 40 to 60 F |
| Light | Moderate light; also feeds on bacteria |
| Depth | Upper water column |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Cell division and silica walled resting cysts |
| Habitat | Clear to moderately nutrient rich lakes, mountain lakes and ponds; favors soft water and low phosphorus. |
Why it matters in a lake
A common golden alga of clearer lakes. Harmless, but large blooms cause fishy taste and odor problems in drinking water.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Chromista |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Ochrophyta |
| Class | Chrysophyceae |
| Order | Chromulinales |
| Family | Dinobryaceae |
| Scientific name | Dinobryon spp. |
Mallomonas
Synura
Uroglena
MicrocystisNeed a hand?
Want to know what is in your water?
Lab counts of the algae in your lake show what is growing, how much and whether a bloom is coming.
Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596