The term ‘phytoplankton’ does not refer to a single species, but rather a diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms that are primarily found in aquatic environments. The scientific classification of phytoplankton encompasses various genera and species, making it difficult to pinpoint one specific scientific name.
Phytoplankton includes several groups such as diatoms (class Bacillariophyceae), cyanobacteria (commonly referred to as blue-green algae), dinoflagellates, and flagellates, each with their own scientific names. For example, a common diatom species is Thalassiosira pseudonana, and an example of a cyanobacteria is Synechococcus.
In summary, while there is no single scientific name for phytoplankton as a whole, understanding that it consists of many different species is key to recognizing their role in aquatic ecosystems.