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LYNGBYA INFESTATIONS: COMPARATIVE TAXONOMY OF LYNGBYA WOLLEI COMB. NOV. (CYANOBACTERIA) 1
Author(s) -
Speziale Barbara J.,
Dyck Lawrence A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.0022-3646.1992.00693.x
Subject(s) - biology , taxonomy (biology) , taxon , lyngbya , cyanobacteria , sensu , botany , confusion , genus , bacteria , paleontology , psychology , psychoanalysis
Conflicting taxonomic identifications of an extremely large‐celled (width: 24.9–64.4 μm, length: 2.0–11.5 μm), filamentous, mat‐forming cyanobacterium prompted a search for an accurate taxonomic identity. This alga was reported by various workers as Plectonema wollei Far‐low ex Gomont, Lyngbya majuscula Harvey ex Gomont, Lyngbya magnifica Gardner, Lyngbya birgei Smith, Lyngbya latissima Prescott, and Microcoleus lyngbyaceus (Kützing) Crouan sensu Drouet. Quantitative analyses of cellular morphology, evaluation of habitat preference, and growth form were used to characterize the organism. Descriptions and taxonomic histories of this organism and the six described taxa were compared. The organism is identified as Plectonema wollei Far‐low ex Gomont according to most existing botanical taxonomic systems. However, this identification places undue emphasis on the extremely variable characteristic of false branching, which varies seasonally and with growth status. To eliminate the confusion inherent in basing taxonomy upon an environmentally variable characteristic, identification as Lyngbya wollei (Farlow ex Gomont) comb. nov. is recommended.