aphanocapsa elachista aphanocapsa elachista aphanocapsa elachista is a species of cyanobacteria belonging to the family merismopediaceae. aphanocapsa elachista scientific classification domain: bacteria phylum: cyanobacteria class: cyanophyceae order: synechococcales family: merismopediaceae genus: aphanocapsa species: a. elachista binomial name aphanocapsa elachistawest & g.s.west, 1894 synonyms: microcystis pulverea f. elachista (west & g.s.west) elenkin 1938 microcystis elachista (west & g.s.west) starmach 1966 aphanocapsa elachista var. planctonica g.m.smith 1920