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Lucie Novoveska

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Micro images

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Monsters, Inc.

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Meet Gloeotrichia, a curious resident of Loch Leven in Scotland - looking a little like a spiky firework frozen in time. This genus of cyanobacteria forms spherical colonies, held together in a mucilage matrix that is large enough to be spotted with the naked eye. While these colonies are undeniably beautiful, Gloeotrichia has a slightly mischievous side: in some cases, it can produce microcystin, a toxin that may pose risks to humans, pets, and aquatic wildlife. With its mysterious, almost otherworldly appearance drifting beneath the surface, you might wonder… could this be a microscopic cousin of the Loch Ness Monster?