Query: NC_009482:87193 Synechococcus sp. RCC307 chromosome, complete genome
Lineage: Synechococcus; Synechococcus; Synechococcaceae; Chroococcales; Cyanobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Marine Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus are the most abundant photosynthetic organisms on earth and between them account for about half of the world's photosynthesis. RCC307 is an oceanic Synechococcus strain which presents great phylogenetic interest because trees obtained using its 16S RNA gene seem to indicate that it is rooted at the base of the radiation of marine cyanobacteria. This strain was isolated from seawater taken at a depth of 15 meters from the Mediterranean Sea.
Subject: NC_006576:1743500 Synechococcus elongatus PCC 6301, complete genome
Lineage: Synechococcus elongatus; Synechococcus; Synechococcaceae; Chroococcales; Cyanobacteria; Bacteria
General Information: Freshwater organism. These unicellular cyanobacteria are also known as blue green algae and along with Prochlorococcus are responsible for a large part of the carbon fixation that occurs in marine environments. Synechococcus have a broader distribution in the ocean and are less abundant in oligotrophic (low nutrient) regions. These organism utilize photosystem I and II to capture light energy. They are highly adapted to marine environments and some strains have evolved unique motility systems in order to propel themselves towards areas that contain nitrogenous compounds. An obligate photoautotroph, it has been studied extensively by an international research community with respect to acquisition of organic carbon, transport and regulation of nitrogen compounds, adaptation to nutrient stresses, and reponse to light intensity.