Crocosphaera watsonii

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Classification

Bacteria; Cyanobacteria; Oscillatoriophycideae; Chroococcales; Aphanothecaceae; Crocosphaera

Species

NCBI: [1]

Crocoshaera watsonii

Description and Significance

Describe the appearance, habitat, etc. of the organism, and why you think it is important.

Crocosphaera watsonii is a diazotrophic marine cyanobacteria. They are unicellular nitrogen fixers that help turn nitrogen in the atmosphere into ammonia, restoring the circulation of nitrogen in the oceans. They are found in warm water conditions where the water temperature is above 24 degrees Celcius. These bacteria mostly reside in places that have low plant nutrients and a high abundance of dissolved oxygen. In regions of the oceans where there are low levels of nitrogen available, primary photosynthesis and production are limited. C. watsonii are very abundant in these regions and contribute a large amount of nitrogen in these areas.

Genome Structure

Describe the size and content of the genome. How many chromosomes? Circular or linear? Other interesting features? What is known about its sequence?

Cell Structure, Metabolism and Life Cycle

Interesting features of cell structure; how it gains energy; what important molecules it produces.

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Habitat; symbiosis; biogeochemical significance; contributions to environment.

If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[Sample reference] Takai, K., Sugai, A., Itoh, T., and Horikoshi, K. "Palaeococcus ferrophilus gen. nov., sp. nov., a barophilic, hyperthermophilic archaeon from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent chimney". International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2000. Volume 50. p. 489-500.

Author

Page authored by _____, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.