Golden algae are microscopic organisms that are about 9-10 micrometers in length. It is a group of algae that is normally found in freshwater in stalks, like in picture, or as singular organisms.

There are 7-11 species found under the category of 'golden algae'

http://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/environconcerns/hab/ga/cellphotos.pht...

interesting anatomical feature: has two flagella and has chloroplasts; The cell has a C-shaped chloroplast that wraps around the middle and is where the yellow-green color is seen.

2nd interesting anatomical feature: haptonema which may function in attachment, feeding, or avoidance responses. The haptonema can be used to attach the cell to objects.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/487936940854873964/

http://www.azgfd.gov/temp/golden_alga_faqs.shtml

lives in freshwater, like lakes and ponds, rivers, canals, but also enjoy saline environments- dried cyst stage can live in dry sediment
golden alga blooms are harmful to animals (fish and clams) with gills, but the alga and their toxins don’t harm animals or people.

A single drop of lake water may contain well over 2,000 cells of golden alga.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/environconcerns/hab/ga/bio.phtml

http://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/pub/51944.php?from=230542

Golden algae can ingest (eat) other cells -- green algae being eaten by golden algae. Researchers think that the toxins are used to slow down prey (bacteria and other alga), making it easier for the golden alga to catch and eat them. Also have chloroplasts for photosynthesis. Occupies 1st trophic level.

Prymnesium parvum

The toxins cause exposed cells (cells without protective layers such as on the surface of gills and fins) to fail. Excess water and waterborne chemicals are allowed inside the cells and eventually inside organism. These exposed cells either die due to chemicals or break open due to excess water.

Low pH preempts bloom development of a toxic haptophyte

http://news.algaeworld.org/2015/03/golden-alga-kills-dozens-of-fish-at-cj-k...

There is very little environmental pressure on golden algae. However, a paper was recently published discussing the use of low pH water to take algal blooms.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568988312001473

Golden algae tends to flourish during algal blooms and may travel to other water bodies easily; population either flourishes or stays the same.
Golden algae produce toxins in response to predation, they can move about quickly (two flagella) and may reproduce quickly (algal blooms) which overwhelms the environment with toxins

https://tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/environconcerns/hab/ga/gamap_states....

Current geographic range of golden algae in the US.

http://comenius.susqu.edu/biol/202/chromalveolata/heterokontae/chrysophyta/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/483011128757177094/

Golden algae is in the SAR clade. They are stramenopiles, Chromista (the stramenopiles): includes Bacillariophyta (diatoms), Chrystophyta (Golden algae), Oomycota (water molds), Phaeophyta (kelps and brown algae), Haptophyta (Coccolithophorids and others), Sagenista (Biocoeceans and slime nets), Silicoflagellata (Silicoflagellates), Xanthophyta (Yellow-green algae)

Because many of these organisms had a silica capsule, they have a relatively complete fossil record, allowing modern biologists to confirm that they are, in fact, not derived from cyanobacteria, but rather an ancestor that did not possess the capability to photosynthesize. Many of the chrysophyta precursor fossils entirely lacked any type of photosynthesis-capable pigment. Most biologists believe that the chrysophytes obtained their ability to photosynthesize from an endosymbiotic relationship with fucoxanthin-containing cyanobacteria.