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Updated: Feb 14, 2026
08:01
The Soft Agar Colony Formation Assay
Published on: October 27, 2014
113.9K
Colony formation in the cyanobacterium Microcystis
Man Xiao1,2, Ming Li1, Colin S Reynolds3
1College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, 712100, China.
Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society
|February 24, 2018
Summary
Microcystis, a common freshwater cyanobacterium, forms colonies in response to environmental factors, offering survival advantages. Managing Microcystis blooms may involve artificial mixing to alter light conditions and reduce dominance.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Microcystis is a globally dominant freshwater cyanobacterium known for its phenotypic plasticity.
- Transitioning from unicellular to multicellular states offers evolutionary advantages for organisms.
- Microcystis forms colonies and blooms, impacting aquatic ecosystems worldwide.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review factors influencing Microcystis colony formation and morphology.
- To understand the ecological advantages and disadvantages of Microcystis colony formation.
- To synthesize knowledge on Microcystis dominance and bloom management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of field studies on Microcystis dominance (1990s-2017).
- Analysis of laboratory experiments inducing Microcystis colony formation.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on Microcystis ecology and bloom dynamics.
Main Results:
- Microcystis was detected as dominant across temperate, subtropical, and tropical water bodies.
- Colony formation is induced by various biotic (e.g., zooplankton, bacteria) and abiotic (e.g., light, temperature, heavy metals) factors.
- Colony formation provides advantages like light adaptation and protection from stressors, but decreases growth rates.
Conclusions:
- Microcystis colony morphology changes with environmental conditions, potentially representing a single species with high plasticity.
- Colony buoyancy aids in maintaining surface biomass in eutrophic lakes, contributing to dominance.
- Artificial mixing is a potential management strategy to reduce Microcystis blooms by altering light availability.
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