Diatoms seem to play with green algae

A long colony of light-green algal cells proceeds in a straight line. Numerous diatoms accompany the algae on its journey, playfully interacting with it, even attaching themselves and riding it like a conveyor belt. Some diatoms are also connected with each other in chains. Diatoms seem to benefit from these connections to move around from place to place.

Commentary by Prof. Yuji Tsukii, Hosei University
The title of this video is incorrect.

This organism is not green algae but a blue-green algae named Oscillatoria.

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

Since its cell size is not so large as that of O. princeps or O. limosa, the organism is probably one of the following smaller species:

O. irrigua, O. simplicissima or O. agardhii

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Im.....

Sampling Date : 18 October 2009

Sampling Site : Hirose River A  Google Map