Johannesbaptistia floridana sp. nov. (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria), a novel marine cyanobacterium from coastal South Florida (USA)

Mat dwelling species of cyanobacteria are diverse and integral to coastal marine sediment systems. Though observed throughout the globe, much of this diversity remains undescribed, especially on South Florida coast where cyanobacteria are pronounced. To help elucidate this diversity, one species of cyanobacteria from the marine sediments of South Florida was studied. Typical morphological features including uniseriate pseudofilaments with facultative intercellular gaps and cell division in one plane, transversely to the longer cell axis, indicated that the species belonged to the genus Johannesbaptistia De Toni. The combination of 16S rRNA gene and 16S-23S rRNA internal transcriber spacer (ITS), along with the diagnosable morphological characteristics suggest uniqueness from previously described species, thus supports the erection of the novel species Johannesbaptistia floridana sp. nov.