Living Beings
    Source-identified Prochlorococcus marinus; Source-identified documentary image; see the original file for method and context. Framed for display
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    Prochlorococcus marinus (cropped).jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Source-identified documentary image; see the original file for method and context. Luke Thompson from Chisholm Lab and Nikki Watson from Whitehead, MIT · CC0

    Field guide · species

    Prochlorococcus marinus

    Chisholm et al. 2001

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    The authority credits the formal scientific description of the name. A year records publication of that description.

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    BacillatiCyanophyceaeSynechococcalesProchlorococcaceae

    Prochlorococcus marinus represents extraordinarily small photosynthetic cyanobacteria in the ocean. Closely related ecotypes differ in their responses to light and resources, so one cultured strain is not a complete stand-in for the whole group.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

    Compare species
    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainBacteria
    3. KingdomBacillati
    4. PhylumCyanobacteriota
    5. ClassCyanophyceae
    6. OrderSynechococcales
    7. FamilyProchlorococcaceae
    8. GenusProchlorococcus
    9. SpeciesProchlorococcus marinus
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Bacteria domain
    3. Bacillati kingdom
    4. Cyanobacteriota/Melainabacteria group clade
    5. Cyanobacteriota phylum
    6. Cyanophyceae class
    7. Synechococcales order
    8. Prochlorococcaceae family
    9. Prochlorococcus genus
    10. Prochlorococcus marinus species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Structure and identification

    Individual cells are tiny and require microscopy or other analytical methods for study. Pigments and genetic markers assist identification.

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    Habitat and range

    Illuminated marine waters support these phototrophs. Different ecotypes occupy contrasting light and nutrient conditions.

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    Nutrition and metabolism

    Photosynthesis supplies energy and fixes inorganic carbon. Dissolved nutrients remain necessary for growth.

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    Biological activity

    Physiological performance depends on environmental light and resource availability; ecotypes have distinct genome and protein signatures.

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    Reproduction and life cycle

    Growth increases cell number through division. Ecotypes describe biological variation, not separate life stages of one cell.

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    Geographic distribution

    The group is important in warm oceanic waters. Ecotype-specific records are more informative than a uniform global range.

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    Ecological role

    These cells contribute primary production to marine microbial food webs and biogeochemical cycling.

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    Distinctive adaptations

    Small cells and differentiated light responses help explain ecological success in dilute ocean environments.

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    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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