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Cai F, Li S, Chen J, Li R. Gansulinema gen. nov. and Komarkovaeasiopsis gen. nov.: Novel Oculatellacean genera (Cyanobacteria) isolated from desert soils and hot spring. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:432-446. [PMID: 38197868 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
To increase the understanding of simple thin filamentous cyanobacteria in harsh environmental areas, we previously isolated and identified four strains (XN101, XN102, GS121, NX122) from desert soils and hot spring in China. As a result, two new Oculatellacean genera of these four strains, Gansulinema gen. nov. and Komarkovaeasiopsis gen. nov., are described based on a polyphasic approach. The ultrastructure of these strains showed a similar arrangement of peripheral thylakoids with three to four parallel layers, indicating that they belonged to the orders Nodosilineales, Oculatellales, or Leptolyngbyales. In the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny, two sequences of the Gansulinema strains and the two sequences of the Komarkovaeasiopsis strains formed two independent and robust clusters, within the order Oculatellales. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of strains of Komarkovaeasiopsis and Gansulinema showed low identity to each other (≤93.2%) and to other sequences of the Oculatellacean genera (≤94.5% and ≤93.3%, respectively). Furthermore, the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer rRNA region secondary structures of strains of Komarkovaeasiopsis and Gansulinema were not consistent with all existing descriptions of Oculatellacean taxa. These data suggest that cyanobacterial communities are rich sources of new taxa in under-exploited areas, such as desert soils and hot spring in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfang Cai
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Animal Nutrition and Feed Safety, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuheng Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Animal Nutrition and Feed Safety, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Animal Nutrition and Feed Safety, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, China
| | - Renhui Li
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, China
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Joseph J, Ray JG. A critical review of soil algae as a crucial soil biological component of high ecological and economic significance. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2024; 60:229-253. [PMID: 38502571 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Aero-terrestrial algae are ecologically and economically valuable bioresources contributing to carbon sequestration, sustenance of soil health, and fertility. Compared to aquatic algae, the literature on subaerial algae is minimal, including studies of distinctive habitats such as forest soils, agricultural fields, deserts, polar regions, specific subaerial zones, artificial structures, and tropical soils. The primary goal here was to identify the gaps and scope of research on such algae. Accordingly, the literature was analyzed per sub-themes, such as the "nature of current research data on terrestrial algae," "methodological approaches," "diversity," "environmental relationships," "ecological roles," and "economic significance." The review showed there is a high diversity of algae in soils, especially members belonging to the Cyanophyta (Cyanobacteria) and Chlorophyta. Algal distributions in terrestrial environments depend on the microhabitat conditions, and many species of soil algae are sensitive to specific soil conditions. The ecological significance of soil algae includes primary production, the release of biochemical stimulants and plant growth promoters into soils, nitrogen fixation, solubilization of minerals, and the enhancement and maintenance of soil fertility. Since aero-terrestrial habitats are generally stressed environments, algae of such environments can be rich in rare metabolites and natural products. For example, epilithic soil algae use wet adhesive molecules to fix them firmly on the substratum. Exploring the ecological roles and economic utility of soil and other subaerial algae could be helpful for the development of algae-based industries and for achieving sustainable soil management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jebin Joseph
- Department of Botany, St Berchmans College, Changanacherry, Kerala, India
- Laboratory of Ecology and Plant Science, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
| | - Joseph George Ray
- School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
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Akagha MU, Pietrasiak N, Bustos DF, Vondrášková A, Lamb SC, Johansen JR. Albertania and Egbenema gen. nov. from Nigeria and the United States, expanding biodiversity in the Oculatellaceae (cyanobacteria). JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2023; 59:1217-1236. [PMID: 37696506 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge of the tropical terrestrial cyanobacterial flora from the African continent is still limited. Of 31 strains isolated from soil and subaerial samples collected in Lagos State, Nigeria, three were found to be in the Oculatellaceae, including two species in a new genus. Subsequently, isolates from microbial mats in White Sands National Park in New Mexico, United States, and from a rock near the ocean in Puerto Rico, United States, were found to belong to the new genus as well. Cyanobacterial isolates were characterized microscopically, sequenced for the 16S rRNA gene and associated ITS region, and phylogenetically analyzed. Egbenema gen. nov., with three new species, as well as two new species of Albertania were differentiated from all other Oculatellaceae. Both genera belong to a supported clade within the Oculatellaceae that includes Trichotorquatus and Komarkovaea. The two new species of Albertania, A. egbensis and A. latericola, were from the same sample, but were evolutionarily separate based on 16S rRNA gene phylogenies, percent identity below the 98.7% threshold, and ITS rRNA percent dissimilarity >7.0%. Egbenema aeruginosum gen. et sp. nov. was phylogenetically separated from Trichotorquatus and Albertania but was in a clade with other strains belonging to Egbenema. The two Egbenema strains from the United States are here named Egbenema epilithicum sp. nov. and Egbenema gypsiphilum sp. nov. Our results support the hypothesis that further species discoveries of novel cyanobacteria will likely be made in soils and subaerial habitats, as these habitats continue to be studied, both in tropical and temperate biomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mildred U Akagha
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicole Pietrasiak
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
- Plant & Environmental Sciences Department, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
| | - David F Bustos
- US DOI White Sands National Park, Alamogordo, New Mexico, USA
| | - Alžběta Vondrášková
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Sandra C Lamb
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria
| | - Jeffrey R Johansen
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, USA
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Trichotorquatus salinus sp. nov. (Oculatellaceae, Cyanobacteria) from a Saltern of Gomso, Republic of Korea. DIVERSITY 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/d15010065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Six strains of subaerial cyanobacteria were isolated from a Gomso saltern in the Republic of Korea, all of which were studied using morphological and molecular traits. Trichotorquatus salinus sp. nov. was studied using a light microscope (LM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), 16S rRNA, 16S–23S ITS region, and ecological data. T. salinus is a thin and simple filament with a false branch and a firm collar sheath. The phylogenetic analyses of 16S rRNA revealed that Trichotorquatus formed a monophyletic lineage and the strains of T. salinus formed a distinct clade among the species in the genus Trichotorquatus. In the statistical analysis, the inter-species genetic distance of the five species of Trichotorquatus, including T. salinus, is shown to be greater than the distance of the previously reported species of Trichotorquatus. Additionally, 16S–23S ITS gene sequences between T. salinus and four species of Trichotorquatus showed dissimilarities of 55.3–59.4%. In the secondary structure of 16S–23S ITS region (type 2 operon), D1–D1′, Box-B, and V3 helix of T. salinus were different from the other taxa in the genus Trichotorquatus. These results demonstrate that T. salinus sp. nov. has unique morphological, ecological, and molecular traits. Therefore, we propose that T. salinus sp. nov. is a novel species belonging to the genus Trichotorquatus.
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Baldarelli LM, Pietrasiak N, Osorio-Santos K, Johansen JR. Mojavia aguilerae and M. dolomitestris - two new Nostocaceae (Cyanobacteria) species from the Americas. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2022; 58:502-516. [PMID: 35727130 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
While nostocacean cyanobacteria are ubiquitous and play critical roles in terrestrial ecosystems, their taxonomy and biogeography still entail mysteries. We isolated two Nostoc-like cyanobacteria from biological soil crusts of the Atacama (Chile) and Mojave (USA) Deserts. An initial 16S rRNA gene phylogeny placed both in monophyly with Mojavia pulchra. Here, we describe two new species of the previously monotypic Mojavia using a polyphasic approach including morphology, 16S rRNA phylogenies, secondary structure, and percent similarity of the 16S-23S ITS region. Like M. pulchra, both new species produce compact microcolonies, arthrospore-like akinetes, and monocytes, traits characteristic of the genus. Mojavia aguilerae sp. nov. is morphologically distinct from both other species in producing bluntly conical end cells, abundant enlarged akinetes in multiseriate filaments, and gold-colored cells during senescence. Mojavia dolomitestris sp. nov. exhibited distinctly firm, light-colored, compartmentalized mucilage. M. dolomitestris is somewhat cryptic with M. pulchra, but has more densely packed microcolonies, rarity and later onset of brownish sheath pigmentation, and an origin from soils derived from dolomite. The two new species strengthened the position of Mojavia as a robust genus sister to Nostoc. Although 16S rRNA gene data could not separate the Mojavia species from each other, the three species showed distinct dissimilarities in secondary ITS structure and differed greatly from Nostoc sensu stricto. The high dissimilarities between their 16S-23S ITS regions suggest a long evolutionary history of the three species as separate lineages. Mojavia is an evolutionary and ecologically unique nostocacean genus, and its rarity and restricted habitat point to an urgent need for recognition and protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren M Baldarelli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 44242, USA
| | - Nicole Pietrasiak
- Plant and Environmental Sciences Department, New Mexico State University, 945 College Drive. Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003, USA
| | - Karina Osorio-Santos
- Departamento de Biología Comparada, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Colonia Coyoacán, Código Postal 04451070474, P.O. Box 70-474, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Jeffrey R Johansen
- Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio, 44118, USA
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, České Budějovice, 370 05, Czech Republic
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