Trichodesmium
T. contortum
T. erythraeum
T. hildebrandtii
T. tenue
T. thiebautii
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Trichodesmium is a genus of filamentous
cyanobacteria. They are found in nutrient poor
tropical and
subtropical ocean waters (particularly around
Australia, where they were first described by
Captain Cook).
Trichodesmium fixes atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable to living things. While far from the only nitrogen fixing
bacteria, they are among the most important of the marine varieties, and are being extensively studied for their role in nutrient cycling in the ocean. Unlike other nitrogen fixing bacteria,
Trichodesmium does not have
heterocysts. Instead, atmospheric nitrogen is processed in special, protective cells called
trichomes. Nitrogen fixation occurs from morning to mid-day, during which
photosynthesis is put on hold, in order to protect the
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