Anabaena

Anabaena is a <a href="/facts/Genus/m8EFjSms">genus</a> of <a href="/facts/Filamentous_cyanobacteria/A3tFsyrP">filamentous cyanobacteria</a> that exist as <a href="/facts/Plankton/WGo3LU9T">plankton</a>. They are known for <a href="/facts/Nitrogen-fixing/TeLoBpWS">nitrogen-fixing</a> abilities, and they form <a href="/facts/Symbiosis/MrBArRGa">symbiotic</a> relationships with certain plants, such as the <a href="/facts/Mosquito_fern/2pgFpADh">mosquito fern</a>. They are one of four genera of cyanobacteria that produce <a href="/facts/Neurotoxin/I7nLuFE7">neurotoxins</a>, which are harmful to local wildlife, as well as farm animals and pets. Production of these neurotoxins is assumed to be an input into its symbiotic relationships, protecting the plant from <a href="/facts/Grazing/nxF45P2c">grazing</a> pressure.
A <a href="/facts/DNA/nB89Iauz">DNA</a> <a href="/facts/Sequencing/ncpzobwG">sequencing</a> project was undertaken by the <a href="/facts/United_States_Department_of_Energy/PRp6Cz8g">United States Department of Energy</a> between 1999 and 2005. This project mapped the complete <a href="/facts/Genome/tjhWET4V">genome</a> of <a href="/facts/Model_organism/vNv6q4yb">model organism</a> Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413, which is 7.2 million base pairs long. A paper detailing the process was published in 2014. The study focused on <a href="/facts/Heterocyst/7nQxaCmQ">heterocysts</a>, which convert <a href="/facts/Nitrogen/Nf1QpGDz">nitrogen</a> into <a href="/facts/Ammonia/MtLtJFtz">ammonia</a>. Certain species of Anabaena have been used on <a href="/facts/Rice/wvL1hBCz">rice</a> <a href="/facts/Paddy_field/576DlKpn">paddy fields</a>, proving to be an effective natural <a href="/facts/Fertilizer/ysh3r6NJ">fertilizer</a>.

Anabaena open-in-new

Anabaena