The Dichotomous Key...

Is there true branching...?

True branching is cell branching where there is a contiguous cytoplasm between branched trichomes. In activated sludge the only branched trichome - forming microorganisms are fungi and Nocardia spp., and Nostocoida limicola (observed incidentially). False branching occurs when there is no continuous cytoplasm between trichomes; two trichomes have merely stuck together and grown outward. In activated sludge, false branching usually is only observed for Sphaerotilus natans, but also has been reported incidentally for Type 1701.