Abstract
Abstract: Aim Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya and Subba Raju, also called Raphidiopsis raciborskii, is a diazotrophic and filamentous cyanobacterium with terminal heterocytes, belonging to the order Nostocales. It has been the focus of several studies due to its toxicity and wide geographic distribution. Methods To understand its autecology and to identify the key factors that control its dominance, the present review discusses, based on recent publications, whether the expansion of this species is a result of a high metabolic plasticity or the existence of distinct ecotypes. Results Among the factors influencing C. raciborskii growth are its ability to survive in wide temperature, light intensity and pH ranges; to dominate in both stratified and mixed environments; to tolerate oligohaline conditions; to produce and secrete allelopathic substances; suffer little herbivore pressure; and although associated with a eutrophic environment, to tolerate low concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen with a high affinity for ammonia. Conclusions Due to these differences in the environmental conditions of growth and development found in various studies, we suggest the existence of different ecotypes that will predominate under specific environmental conditions as the most appropriate hypothesis.
Highlights
Cylindrospermopsis is a cyanobacterial genus belonging to the order Nostocales and the family Nostocaceae, found in the planktic community of continental waters (Hauer & Komárek, 2019)
In most publications we found that stratified environments favor the prevalence of C. raciborskii, but as this species may predominate in nonstratified or polymictic environments (Barros et al, 2006; Von Sperling et al, 2008; Casali et al, 2017), this condition may not be as important as it is to other cyanobacteria such as Microcystis sp. (Calijuri et al, 2002)
It is not yet entirely possible to determine whether the distribution of C. raciborskii in different climates is the result of high metabolic plasticity, allowing it to explore various environments differently, or the existence of different ecotypes that will predominate in specific conditions
Summary
Cylindrospermopsis (or Raphidiopsis) is a cyanobacterial genus belonging to the order Nostocales and the family Nostocaceae, found in the planktic community of continental waters (Hauer & Komárek, 2019). The physiological ecology of C. raciborskii has been studied extensively, several aspects have only recently been investigated These include the distribution and dispersion of the species (Padisák, 1997; Alster et al, 2010; Bolius et al, 2017; Weithoff et al, 2017), the number and size of akinetes (Padisák, 2003), and the causes of toxin production (Babanazarova et al, 2015; Beamud et al, 2016; Burford et al, 2016; Casali et al, 2017). The factors most strongly suggested as contributors to flowering and expansion of Cyanobacteria blooms, including C. raciborskii, are eutrophication (Soranno, 1997; Paerl, 1997; Saker & Griffiths, 2001; Landsberg, 2002; Huisman & Hulot, 2005;) and climate change (Peperzak, 2003; Paerl & Huisman, 2008; Paul, 2008; Sinha et al, 2012; Kokociński et al, 2017; Panou et al, 2018)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
