Didymosphenia geminata

"Didymo" redirects here. Not to be confused with Didymos.

Didymosphenia geminata
Didymo found beside the Mararoa River in New Zealand.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Clade: Diaphoretickes
Clade: SAR
Clade: Stramenopiles
Phylum: Gyrista
Subphylum: Ochrophytina
Class: Bacillariophyceae
Order: Cymbellales
Family: Cymbellaceae
Genus: Didymosphenia
Species:
D. geminata
Binomial name
Didymosphenia geminata
(Lyngbye) M. Schmidt, 1899
Synonyms
  • Echinella geminata
    Lyngbye, 1819
  • Gomphonema geminatum
    (Lyngbye) C. Agardh, 1824

Didymosphenia geminata, commonly known as didymo or rock snot, is a species of diatom that produces nuisance growths in freshwater rivers and streams with consistently cold water temperatures and low nutrient levels.[1] It is native to the northern hemisphere, and considered an invasive species in Australia, Argentina,[2] New Zealand,[3] and Chile.[4] Even within its native range, it has taken on invasive characteristics since the 1980s.[1] It is not considered a significant human health risk,[5] but it can affect stream habitats and sources of food for fish and make recreational activities unpleasant. This microscopic alga can be spread in a single drop of water.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Didymo (Rock Snot)". Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. 2014-05-08. Archived from the original on 2014-05-09. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  2. ^ "Alga Didymo o Moco de Roca" [Didymo Algae or Rock Snot] (in Spanish). Argentine Naval Prefecture. Retrieved 2015-06-08.
  3. ^ "Didymo". Biosecurity New Zealand. 2012-07-27. Archived from the original on 2010-01-18. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  4. ^ "Alto al Didymo". Servicio Nacional de Pesca y Acuicultura. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
  5. ^ "FAQs related to Didymo". Biosecurity New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2015-01-14. Retrieved 2014-05-09.