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Aphanizomenon ovalisporum
caption
The specialized cells of Aphanizomenon ovalisporum: an akinete (large, thick-walled, egg-shaped cell in the upper filament) and a heterocyte (egg-shaped, transparent cells in the middle and bottom filaments).
The akinetes are much larger than regular cells and can be mid-filament or terminal, at times a few in a single filament, sometimes several in a row. Akinetes function as asexual resting stage and are resistant to harsh conditions. The akinetes separate from the filament and sink to the sediments, where they remain until conditions are suitable for germination.
author
aalster and tzohary
copyright
A Alster & T Zohary, Kinneret Limnological Laboratory, IOLR
