Taxonomic evaluation of cyanobacterial microflora from alkaline marshes of northern Belize. 2. Diversity of oscillatorialean genera

This article is the second part of the analysis of phenotype diversity of cyanobacterial assemblages in alkaline marshes in northern Belize. The cyanobacterial diversity of the marshes was studied in the frame of a long-term project focused on anthropogenic influences in this tropical country. The study was focused on the ciscillatorialean morphotypes, which are dominant in the studied ecosystem and form the main components of the cyanobacterial mats. Following the first part (Komarek & Komarkova-Legnerova 2007 - coccoid types) of the characterization of the marshes, this study was also based on the phenotype analysis of natural samples. However, because several oscillatorialean populations could be successfully brought into pure culture, the results of morphological and ecological diversity were supported by the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of the isolated strains. In the phenotype study of natural samples, 29 traditional morphospecies were detected. Of these, 31 strains were isolated in monospecific culture, and their 16S rRNA gene was sequenced. Separated clusters on the generic level with 13 subclusters were confirmed by the phylogenetic evaluation, which corresponded to the phenotype taxonomy. The morphology of all taxa which were recognized by combined molecular and phenotype evaluation are described, morphospecies which have never been transferred in cultures were mentioned. In the special habitats of Belizean alkaline marshes, we have found 9 new species, and one generic entity (Phormidesmis) was defined on the basis of combined molecular and phenotype analyses. Descriptions of two characteristic morphospecies, which were not isolated in monospecific cultures have been added and defined only according to phenotype features. All new taxa were formally described following the Botanical Code. In the case of sequenced strains, a supplementary description following bacteriological nomenclatoric rules has been given.