Nodosilinea signiensis sp. nov. (Leptolyngbyaceae, Synechococcales), a new terrestrial cyanobacterium isolated from mats collected on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica.

Ranina Radzi,Sebastien Lavoue,Faradina Merican,Wan Maznah Wan Omar,Paul Broady,Narongrit Muangmai,Peter Convey,Susanna A Wood

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0224395

Ranina Radzi, Sebastien Lavoue + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0224395

Copy DOI

Abstract

Terrestrial cyanobacteria are very diverse and widely distributed in Antarctica, where they can form macroscopically visible biofilms on the surfaces of soils and rocks, and on benthic surfaces in fresh waters. We recently isolated several terrestrial cyanobacteria from soils collected on Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. Among them, we found a novel species of Nodosilinea, named here as Nodosilinea signiensis sp. nov. This new species is morphologically and genetically distinct from other described species. Morphological examination indicated that the new species is differentiated from others in the genus by cell size, cell shape, filament attenuation, sheath morphology and granulation. 16S rDNA phylogenetic analyses clearly confirmed that N. signiensis belongs to the genus Nodosilinea, but that it is genetically distinct from other known species of Nodosilinea. The D1-D1´ helix of the 16S-23S ITS region of the new species was also different from previously described Nodosilinea species. This is the first detailed characterization of a member of the genus Nodosilinea from Antarctica as well as being a newly described species.

Highlights

Cyanobacteria are a widely distributed group of oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes that possess chlorophyll a and phycobiliproteins [1]
We report the polyphasic characterization of a cyanobacterial strain superficially resembling Leptolyngbya, recently isolated from soils collected on Signy Island
New algal material was collected from Signy Island in the 2015/16 austral summer season under permit number 46/2015 issued under the United Kingdom Antarctic Act

Summary

Introduction

Cyanobacteria are a widely distributed group of oxygenic photosynthetic prokaryotes that possess chlorophyll a and phycobiliproteins [1]. Despite their widespread occurrence and ecological importance, the taxonomy of cyanobacteria remains problematic. Cyanobacterial classification has recently undergone rapid revision based on the use of polyphasic approaches to define new taxa [2]. These approaches combine molecular characterization with cytomorphological and ecological characteristics and have been used to erect and describe new taxa and for the validation of classically described taxa [3, 4].

Methods

Results

Conclusion