Sphaerocystis
Sphaerocystis spp. · Phytoplankton
Under the microscope · Photo: Zihao Wang / CC BY
How to identify Sphaerocystis
- Under the microscope: round green cells evenly spaced in a large, clear, round jelly ball
- Often smaller clusters of cells inside the main colony
- Each cell has a cup shaped chloroplast
- In the water: not visible
Similar species
Gloeocystis has layered jelly around each cell or group; Eudorina cells swim with flagella.
Profile
| Season | Late spring through summer. |
|---|---|
| Starts | About 55 F and up |
| Light | Moderate light |
| Depth | Open water |
| How it spreads or reproduces | Cell division inside the jelly |
| Habitat | Clear to moderately nutrient rich lakes and ponds. |
Why it matters in a lake
A common colonial green in summer counts. Its jelly coating lets it pass through some zooplankton guts unharmed.
Where it is found
- Idaho: Common
- Oregon: Common
- Wyoming: Common
Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chlorophyta |
| Class | Chlorophyceae |
| Order | Chlamydomonadales |
| Family | Sphaerocystidaceae |
| Scientific name | Sphaerocystis spp. |
Chlamydomonas
Scenedesmus
Ankistrodesmus
Oocystis
Pediastrum
Desmodesmus
Monoraphidium
Chlorella
Cosmarium
ClosteriumNeed a hand?
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