Cyanocystopsis kitagatae gen. et sp. nov. (Cyanoprokaryota/Cyanobacteria) from the tropical lake Kitagata (Uganda, Africa

The paper describes a new genus and new species of Cyanoprokaryota, referred to Pleurocapsales incertae sedis - Cyanocystopsis kitagatae gen. et sp. nov. The new taxon is characterized by the presence of two different stages (filamentous, formed by spherical cells and stalked bundles of claviform cells). The branching of filaments, which leads to the formation of clusters of claviform cells, is caused by cell division, which slightly resembles the true-branching of cyanoprokaryotes. However, this division is peculiar by its subsequent character and excentric disposition of the daughter cells, which leads to the formation of specific tetrads, from which the claviform cells develop. Spores (aplanospores) and vegetative reproductive stages of the alga have been observed. The new species was found as a dominant in a fixed phytoplankton sample from the small, hypertrophic and hypersaline tropical crater lake Kitagata (Uganda, Africa). The pigment marker analysis of the same sample proved the high (ca 96%) cyanoprokaryotc contribution to the phytoplankton biomass.

Automated summary

The paper introduces a new genus and species of Cyanoprokaryota named Cyanocystopsis kitagatae gen. et sp. nov. This new taxon exhibits unique characteristics in terms of filamentous stages and the formation of claviform cell clusters through cell division. Additionally, spores and vegetative reproductive stages of the alga have been observed.