Gloeocystis
Gloeocystis spp. · Phytoplankton
Under the microscope · Photo: Environmental Protection Agency / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
How to identify Gloeocystis
- Under the microscope: round green cells in groups of 2 to 8 inside thick, layered jelly
- Jelly often shows rings around each group
- In the water: not visible
Similar species
Sphaerocystis cells are evenly spaced in one big jelly ball; Oocystis cells are inside a stretched cell wall, not jelly.
Profile
| Season | Summer and fall. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 55 F and up |
| Light | Moderate light |
| Depth | Open water and among plants |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Cell division inside the jelly |
| Habitat | Ponds, lakes and wetlands. |
Why it matters in a lake
A common colonial green in pond counts. Its genus placement has shifted over time, so labs may lump it with similar jelly colonies.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Occasional
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chlorophyta |
| Class | Chlorophyceae |
| Order | Sphaeropleales |
| Family | Radiococcaceae |
| Scientific name | Gloeocystis spp. |
Chlamydomonas
Scenedesmus
Ankistrodesmus
Oocystis
Pediastrum
Desmodesmus
Monoraphidium
Chlorella
Sphaerocystis
CosmariumNeed a hand?
Want to know what is in your water?
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