Nephrococcus serbicus, a new coccoid cyanobacterial species from Bozana Cave, Serbia
Abstract
During the investigation of cyanobacterial diversity in Bozana Cave, which is situated in a limestone region in western Serbia, a new species of cyanobacterium belonging to the genus Nephrococcus was found. So far, there are only three records of the genus Nephrococcus in the whole world (recorded in China and Nepal), which was reviewed and is presented in this study. Detailed morphology of the examined cyanobacterium was documented by digital photography and drawings using light and confocal laser microscopy. Ecology (temperature, relative humidity and light intensity) and biofilm parameters (chlorophyll-a, the water content and the content of organic/inorganic matter in the biofilm) were also measured, and the associated taxa described. Detailed morphological characteristics that indicated the differences between this species from those already known, allowed us to describe this cyanobacterium as a new species, Nephrococcus serbicus. This is the first record of the genus Nephrococcus... in the territory of Europe.
Keywords:
aerophytic on limestone substrate / biofilm / cyanobacteria / new species / NephrococcusSource:
Phytotaxa, 2016, 289, 2, 135-146Publisher:
- Magnolia Press, Auckland
Projects:
- Geologic and ecotoxicologic research in identification of geopathogen zones of toxic elements in drinking water reservoirs- research into methods and procedures for reduction of biochemical anomalies (RS-176018)
- Transformation of Serbian Geospace - lessons from the past, contemporary problems and possible solutions (RS-176020)
- Grant Agency of the Czech Republic - GA15-00113S
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.289.2.3
ISSN: 1179-3155