Didymosphenia geminata
| Didymosphenia geminata | |
|---|---|
| Didymo found beside the Mararoa River in New Zealand. | |
| Macroscopic photo of D. geminata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Clade: | Sar |
| Clade: | Stramenopiles |
| Division: | Ochrophyta |
| Clade: | Bacillariophyta |
| Class: | Bacillariophyceae |
| Order: | Cymbellales |
| Family: | Cymbellaceae |
| Genus: | Didymosphenia |
| Species: | D. geminata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M. Schmidt, 1899
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Didymosphenia geminata (/ˌdɪdɪməˈsfiːniə ˌdʒɛmɪˈnætə/), commonly known as didymo or rock snot, is a species of diatom that produces nuisance growths in freshwater rivers and streams with consistently low water temperatures and low nutrient levels. It is native to the northern hemisphere, and considered an invasive species in Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, and Chile. Even within its native range, it has taken on invasive characteristics since the 1980s. It is not considered a significant human health risk, but it can affect stream habitats and sources of food for fish and make recreational activities unpleasant. This microscopic alga can be spread in a single drop of water.