Identification of a new-to-science cyanobacterium, Toxifilum mysidocida gen. nov. & sp. nov. (Cyanobacteria, Cyanophyceae).
Cyanobacteria occupy many niches within terrestrial, planktonic, and benthic habitats. The diversity of habitats colonized, similarity of morphology, and phenotypic plasticity all contribute to the difficulty of cyanobacterial identification. An unknown marine filamentous cyanobacterium was isolated from an aquatic animal rearing facility having mysid mortality events. The cyanobacterium originated from Corpus Christi Bay, TX. Filaments are rarely solitary, benthic mat forming, unbranched, and narrowing at the ends. Cells are 2.1 × 3.1 μm (width × length). Thylakoids are peripherally arranged on the outer third of the cell; cyanophycin granules and polyphosphate bodies are present. Molecular phylogenetic analysis in addition to morphology (transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy) and chemical composition all confirm it as a new genus and species we name Toxifilum mysidocida. At least one identified Leptolyngbya appears (based on genetic evidence and TEM) to belong to this new genus.
Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5866, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78412, USA.
Paul V
PV
Zimba
Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 6300 Ocean Drive, Unit 5866, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78412, USA.
I-Shuo
IS
Huang
Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, 48859, USA.
Jennifer E
JE
Foley
Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, 48859, USA.
Eric W
EW
Linton
D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D020524:Thylakoids / Q000648:ultrastructure
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Toxifilum mysidocida
; Texas; fatty acid composition; marine cyanobacteria