Crocosphaera watsonii
Classification
Bacteria; Cyanobacteria; Oscillatoriophycideae; Chroococcales; Aphanothecaceae; Crocosphaera
Species
Crocosphaera watsonii
https://genome.jgi.doe.gov/portal/crowa/crowa.jpg
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 found in warm water conditions where the water temperature is above 24 degrees Celcius. These cyanobacteria can be found offshore or in the open ocean.
They are about 2.5-6 µm in diameter.
Crocosphaera watsonii are unicellular nitrogen fixers that help turn nitrogen in the atmosphere into ammonia, restoring the circulation of nitrogen in the oceans.
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.
Crocosphaera watsonii has a 35-hour doubling time.
In the warm parts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Crocosphaera watsonii has been found to have cell densities of above 1000 cells per mililiter.
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
Author
Page authored by Ashleigh Wright, student of Prof. Bradley Tolar at UNC Wilmington.
