Oscillatoria

Oscillatoria is a genus of filamentous cyanobacterium which is named after the oscillation in its movement. Filaments in the colonies can slide back and forth against each other until the whole mass is reoriented to its light source. It is commonly found in watering-troughs waters, and is mainly blue-green or brown-green. Oscillatoria is an organism that reproduces by fragmentation. Oscillatoria forms long filaments of cells which can break into fragments called hormogonia. The hormogonia can grow into a new, longer filament. Breaks in the filament usually occur where dead cells (necridia) are present. Oscillatoria uses photosynthesis to survive and reproduce. Each filament of oscillatoria consists of trichome which is made up of rows of cells. The tip of the trichome oscillates like a pendulum. in reproduction, it takes place by vegetative means only. Usually the filament breaks into a number of fragments called homogonia. Each hormogonium consist of one or more cells and grow into a filament by cell division in one direction.

Oscillatoria
Oscillatoria princeps
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Cyanobacteria
Class:	Cyanophyceae
Order:	Oscillatoriales
Family:	Oscillatoriaceae
Genus:	Oscillatoria Vaucher ex Gomont, 1822
Type species
Oscillatoria princeps Vaucher ex Gomont
Species
see text

Oscillatoria filaments

Oscillatoria are the subject of research into the natural production of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT),[1] an antioxidant, food additive and industrial chemical.

Oscillatoria contains the following species:[2]