Merismopedia

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A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Merismopedia

Merismopedia Meyen 1839. Image Courtesy of BioImages.

Classification

Higher order taxa:

Bacteria; Cyanobacteria; Chroococcales

Species:

Merismopedia glauca, M. tenuissima

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and Significance

The cyanobacteria Merismopedia sp. are fairly common in several varieties of water habitats. Along with other cyanobacteria, they contribute to primary production through photosynthesis. They also can produce lipopolysaccharides which are known to create skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress (NOAA).

Genome Structure

Currently no genome sequencing projects of Merimopedia strains are ongoing. However, several similar blue-green algae cyanobacteria have been sequenced or are currently in progress. Although there is still a lot of data that needs to be collected from an individual genome sequencing of a Merismopedia strain, basic knowledge can be gained by studying similar organisms that have already been sequenced.

Cell Structure and Metabolism

Merimopedia sp.Image Courtesy of BIODIDAC.

Merismopedia cells are gram-negative, blue-green in color. They grows as unicellular organisms in colonial form, reproducing in two fission planes to form plate-like colonies consisting of up to 4000 cells (Komárek). Reproducing specifically by fission, cell division occurs in two directions only (Manhattan).

Ecology

Merismopedia colonies are commonly found in the sediments of freshwater sources. The strains of Merismopedia survive in freshwater by creating trophic and symbiotic relationships with other aquatic organisms such as zooplankton (Bukharin).