page_title: Heterosigma akashiwo
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Heterosigma akashiwo / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Hara and Chihara Fig 21. Sketch of Heterosigma akashiwo internal anatomy.
context_page_description: Heterosigma akashiwo is a species of microscopic algae of the class Raphidophyceae. It is a swimming marine alga that episodically forms toxic surface aggregations known as harmful algal bloom. The species name akashiwo is from the Japanese for "red tide".
  Synonyms include Olisthodiscus luteus, and Entomosigma akashiwo. H. akashiwo and H. inlandica have been recognized as two species of Heterosigma. However, Hara and Chihara described both specimens as one species, validly describing them as H. akashiwo.
context_section_description: H. akashiwo cells are relatively small, ranging in size from 18 to 34 μm in diameter. They appear golden brown, and appear in clusters.   Morphology is highly variable, but does not appear to vary significantly between locations. One culture may contain flat or round individual cells.  Molecular techniques for identification (including quantitative PCR) are preferred over traditional microscope fixing, which may lyse the cells.
caption: Heterosigma akashiwo anatomy from Hara and Chihara 1987 [4]
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