Phenotype diversity of the cyanoprokaryotic genus Cylindrospermopsis (Nostocales); review 2002

Abstract

The cyanobacterial/cyanoprokaryotic nostocalean planktic genus Cylindrospermopsis (type species = C. raciborskii) was originally described as Anabaena by WOŁOSZYŃSKA (1912), later included in the genus Anabaenopsis (terminal heterocytes) by ELENKIN (1923), and at last separated as a special genus by SEENAYYA & SUBBA RAJU (1972) in respect to special trichome morphology and a special strategy of trichome development. It has a pantropical distribution. Eight new species were described recently, mainly from tropical freshwater planktic habitats. C. raciborskii has tendency to invade intensely temperate zones, where it forms heavy water-blooms, particularly in warmer regions. The intense production of toxic compounds was detected in this species, which classifies it among important and ecologically remarkable cyanobacteria requiring careful studies. The present paper yields a short current literary review of phenotype diversity of this genus, as a background to the further investigation. This study was supported by the grants EU-MIDI-CHIP no. EVK2-1999-00213, K6005114 and A6005380.