Taxonomy of cyanobacteria: a contribution to consensus approach

Abstract

Diversity of Cyanophyceae/cyanobacteria is expressed by their morphological, biochemical and physiological properties, which enable them to settle and persist in a wide range of habitats. Their diverse morphology determined their taxonomic distinction based on phenotypic properties. The oxygenic photosynthesis which characterizes cyanobacteria and their sharing of ecological niches with eukaryotic algae, prompted their treatment in the phycological circles, where they were called blue-green algae, although their prokaryotic nature, akin to bacteria, has been recognized for over a century. The cyanobacteria are named under Botanical and Bacteriological Codes, and the usage of both systems at the same time causes considerable confusion as the rules of the Botanical Code are quite different from those of the Bacteriological one. Herbarium collections are perfect subjects for intensive phylogenetic studies and therefore can contribute to discussions on the traditional and newly emerging concepts of species and speciation in prokaryotes. This article reviews the present status of the taxonomy of cyanobacteria, describes earlier, classical and recent taxonomic approaches and the trends for future, emphasizing improvements in methodology as major catalysts for the progress of this field.

Cyanotoxins in inland lakes of the United States: Occurrence and potential recreational health risks in the EPA National Lakes Assessment 2007

“…Data interpretation was focused on occurrence and abundance because WHO microcystin recreational metrics do not use biovolume. All taxonomic names were used as provided to the genera level and no attempt was made to reclassify cyanobacteria into other genera based upon newer suggestions justified by polyphasic approaches (Palinska and Surosz, 2014;Komá rek, 2016;Pinevich, 2015). Genetic resolution would be required or systematic identification of specific morphologic structures such as aerotopes to differentiate planktic and suspended benthic forms (Wacklin et al, 2009).…”

Cyanobacterial biodiversity and associated ecosystem services: introduction to the special issue

“…Cyanobacterial biodiversity, phylogeny, and taxonomy too have remained paradoxical (Pinevich 2008). Cyanobacterial taxonomy still requires a consensus approach (Palinska and Surosz 2014) (Oren and Garrity 2014;Imhoff 2014;Pinevich 2014). An overview on cyanobacterial taxonomy, species concepts, and speciation factors having significant impact on their biodiversity status are elaborated by Dvořák et al (2015).…”

Phylogenetic position of Geitleribactron purpureum (Synechococcales, Cyanobacteria / Cyanophyceae) and its implications for the taxonomy of Chamaesiphonaceae and Leptolyngbyaceae

“…Nevertheless, this conclusion is only preliminary and should be further verified by molecular analysis of the generitype, G. periphy-ticum, in a future study. Ideally, such analysis should involve herbarium type material or material from the type locality of G. periphyticum, as recommended by PalinsKa & surosz (2014). Because our study was based on a single population, additional molecular data from different localities are required to provide more insight into the variability within the genus.…”