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The term plankton refers to an ecological group of organisms drifting in the water column of oceans and fresh water bodies.
Phytoplankton is the autotrophic component, i.e., microscopic algae that perform photosynthesis.
Most phytoplankton species are too small to be seen with the unaided eye, but when present in large quantities, their chlorophyll causes a green discoloration of the water.
Author: Nathalia Tirado.
Other Contributors: Stuart Banks, Margarita Brandt, Rodrigo Bustamante, Angel Chiriboga, Graham Edgar, José Miguel Fariña, Peter Glynn, Jack Grove, Alex Hearn, Cleveland Hickman, Paul Humann, Jerson Moreno, Fernando Pinillos, Fernando Rivera, Franz Smith, Marco Toscano, Mariana Vera, Luis Vinueza.
Names of taxa included: 8 total (1 unidentified taxon, 7 preliminary identification).
Domain Eukaryota
Kingdom Chromalveolata
Division Bacillariophyta
Class Class Bacillariophyta indet.
Order Ord. Bacillariophyta indet.
Family Fam. Bacillariophyta indet.
Genus Diatomea
Domain Prokaryota
Kingdom Bacteria
Division Cyanobacteria
Class Cyanophyceae
Order Chroococcales
Family Merismopediaceae
Genus Aphanocapsa
Family Xenococcaceae
Genus Xenococcus
Order Nostocales
Family Scytonemataceae
Genus Scytonema
Order Oscillatoriales
Family Oscillatoriaceae
Genus Microcoleus
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