Gloeocystis sp. (ampla?)

This member of the Palmellaceae family is characterized by the individual cell sheaths enclosed in a colorless gelatinous envelope. They can appear solitary, or as in this photo, grouped in a colony. The individual sheath walls can be seen faintly outlining the cell. Sample was collected in the tidal fresh area of the upper Patuxent River.

Chlorophyceae