vs

Chroococcus macrococcus compared with Chroococcus planctonicus

Taxonomic Classification

Rank
Kingdom same	Bacteria (Bacteria)	Bacteria (Bacteria)
Phylum same	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)	Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria)
Class same	Cyanobacteriia	Cyanobacteriia
Order same	Cyanobacteriales	Cyanobacteriales
Family same	Microcystaceae	Microcystaceae
Genus same	Chroococcus	Chroococcus
Species	Chroococcus macrococcus	Chroococcus planctonicus

Evolutionary Relationship

and share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Chroococcus.

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Norway and Sweden.

Chroococcus macrococcus is a cyanobacterium in the family Chroococcaceae, belonging to a group of unicellular to loosely colonial coccoid cyanobacteria distributed in freshwater and moist terrestrial environments. The specific epithet macrococcus refers to the large size of the cells, distinguishing this species from smaller-celled members of the genus. Chroococcus cells are characterized by their spherical shape, division by binary fission into pairs or tetrad arrangements, and enclosure within distinct gelatinous sheaths. The outer sheath layers are often visibly stratified in older colonies. Cyanobacteria of the Chroococcaceae occupy a broad range of aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats worldwide, from standing and flowing freshwaters to damp soil, rocks, tree bark, and the surfaces of other organisms. They are among the most ecologically resilient of photosynthetic microorganisms, tolerating desiccation, temperature extremes, and nutrient-poor conditions. Chroococcus macrococcus has been recorded from European freshwater localities. Its ecological significance lies primarily in contributing to primary production in aquatic communities. Like most microorganisms, it has not been formally assessed under IUCN criteria.

Chroococcus planctonicus is a species of cyanobacteria in the family Chroococcaceae, adapted to the planktonic lifestyle suggested by its specific epithet. Unlike some Chroococcus species that are primarily benthic or periphytic — attached to substrates — Chroococcus planctonicus is characteristic of open-water plankton communities in freshwater lakes and ponds. Planktonic cyanobacteria must maintain a position in the water column for optimal light exposure, and some have evolved gas vesicles to regulate buoyancy, though these are more developed in filamentous bloom-forming genera. Chroococcus planctonicus cells are spherical, occurring in pairs or tetrads within gelatinous sheaths, following the basic morphological plan of the genus. It has been documented from European freshwater systems including Swedish and Finnish lakes, where it contributes to the seasonal phytoplankton community. Cyanobacteria are important primary producers in freshwater ecosystems, particularly in summer when warm temperatures and stratified water columns favor their growth. However, Chroococcus planctonicus is not generally associated with harmful algal blooms, which are more characteristic of genera such as Microcystis and Anabaena. Its conservation status has not been assessed.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 2 countries:

🇳🇴 Norway 🇸🇪 Sweden