Phylogenetic connection among close genera of Aphanizomenonaceae (Cyanobacteria): Amphiheterocytum gen. nov., Cylindrospermopsis and Sphaerospermopsis

Abstract

Aphanizomenonaceae is a recently proposed family of Cyanobacteria encompassing 12 planktic genera. The formation and distribution of heterocytes and akinetes along the trichome are the main morphological characteristics of this family. In this context, Sphaerospermopsis and Cylindrospermopsis are close related genera both molecularly and morphologically differing by 1) rounded akinetes adjacent to the heterocytes disposed along the trichome in Sphaerospermopsis; 2) apical heterocytes and akinetes separated by a few cells (2–3) in Cylindrospermopsis. Recently, during a survey on cyanobacteria from tropical Brazilian eutrophic lakes, strains with similarities to Sphaerospermopsis and Cylindrospermopsis were isolated. Aiming to elucidate the phylogenetic placement of these strains, we performed morphological, physiological and molecular studies. The Brazilian strains were confirmed to be closely related to Sphaerospermopsis and Cylindrospermopsis, but the phylogeny, based on 16S rRNA gene and 16S–23S rRNA intergenic region, clustered them in a well-defined clade separate from these genera. According to these results, we detailed the morphology, physiology, and phylogeny of the proposed new genus Amphiheterocytum, which showed potential to create blooms in tropical shallow lakes.