DOCSLIB.ORG

Bioplastic Production in Cyanobacteria and Consensus Degenerate PCR Probe Design

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bioplastic Production in Cyanobacteria and Consensus Degenerate PCR Probe Design Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Doctoral Dissertations Graduate School 2015 Bioplastic Production in Cyanobacteria and Consensus Degenerate PCR Probe Design Courtney Edward Lane Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations Part of the Chemical Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Lane, Courtney Edward, "Bioplastic Production in Cyanobacteria and Consensus Degenerate PCR Probe Design" (2015). LSU Doctoral Dissertations. 2777. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_dissertations/2777 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please [email protected]. BIOPLASTIC PRODUCTION IN CYANOBACTERIA AND CONSENSUS DEGENERATE PCR PROBE DESIGN A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Gordon A. and Mary Cain Department of Chemical Engineering by Courtney Edward Lane B.S., Louisiana State University, 2010 December 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work embodies the culmination of my academic experience at Louisiana State University, forged through challenges, research, and guidance. I am excited to reach this milestone in my life and fortunately, I did not have to do it alone. There are a few very important people in my life to whom I am indebted for their contributions. First and foremost, Dr. Michael G. Benton – my major professor. Through his knowledge, guidance, and criticism I was able to continually advance through obstacles and accomplish, or surpass, the goals of my projects. The patience and freedoms he awarded me presented the opportunity to instill confidence in myself and develop uniquely. These freedoms also allowed me to follow the work for which I am passionate and for that I am truly thankful. His approachable nature and open-door policy granted me motivation and determination in the face of failure and replaced fears of inadequacy with reaffirmed confidence. Dr. Benton, I am lucky to have had you as a mentor and will always carry with me the knowledge you conveyed. Thank you for giving me this great opportunity! My committee members, Dr. Mary J. Wornat, Dr. Adam T. Melvin, and Dr. Seung-Jong Park all deserve my sincerest gratitude. Their criticism and insight helped to improve the quality of my work and my outlook as a scientific investigator. Thank you for your time and willingness to evaluate my work! Looking back into my undergraduate and graduate studies, I would like to thank Dr. Kerry Dooley. As an instructor, you refused to “hold our hand” through the assignments. Out of necessity, we developed the key skills associated with true independent thinking. Dr. Dooley, you always said “One day you’ll look back and thank me.” Well, once again you are correct. You truly have the student’s best interest at heart, thank you for preparing me for both graduate studies and industry. You played a major role in making me a better student. I also wish to express my appreciation to LSU and the LSU Graduate School for not only allowing me to pursue this doctoral degree, but also for awarding me the Dissertation Year Fellowship. This award has helped me fulfill the requirements of my degree and has given me a sense of validation for my work. Thank you! I owe a debt of gratitude to all of my classmates and colleagues, who provided me with advice, motivation, and support, but above all else someone with which to share the experience. Most notably, I had the good fortune of maturing academically alongside fellow research group member William Ainsworth, who never shied away from a good discussion. He was a great friend and asset during my time at LSU. Thank you Timothy Thibodeaux for being a great roommate and better friend. John Tate, Thomas Trieu, and Zenghui Zhang all also deserve recognition and my gratitude. I will always have an open door and an open ear for you all. Thank you for sharing in this experience with me. Lastly, I must thank my family. Without the continued love, support, patience, and guidance of my family, I would have been unable to accomplish this goal. Thank you. To my parents Paige and Mike Lee, I could never thank you enough. You have given me every available opportunity in life and words cannot express how thankful I am. You always checked in on me, made time for me, helped me out, talked to me, and made me feel loved. Thank you. To thank my fiancée, Sarah Hains. You and little Vice were the last thing I expected to happen to me during this time, but I am so glad that you two came into my life. Sarah, without your support I could not have completed this goal. Even though I am certain you will not read this after hearing every detail for the past five years! Also, I am honored to have had the opportunity to watch Vice grow from an adorable four-month-old into the intelligent and kind little five-year-old he is today. I take comfort in knowing you two will continue to support me through my future academic and professional careers. Thank you. To my grandfather, William Darsey, whom is amongst the best of role-models. You showed me that a successful person is rich in family, friends, and intellect. The courage and confidence ii you hold has shown me that that great risks can lead to great rewards, rewards which are only made sweeter through adversity and perseverance. Without these qualities I most certainly would not have even accepted this challenge. Thank you. To all of my family. I have truly been blessed to have such a wonderful family! I would also like to show my appreciation to you, the reader. I have spent a significant amount of time organizing and materializing my thoughts to present. Without an audience, all of my work would be for naught. Thank you for your time and interest in my work and I hope you find it a valuable source of information. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... ii ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................................viii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Chapter Preface ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Rationale ....................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Specific Objectives ....................................................................................................................... 3 1.5 Significance of Study .................................................................................................................... 3 CHAPTER 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE ............................................................................ 5 2.1 Chapter Preface ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.2 Background ................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.1 Polymers ............................................................................................................................... 5 2.2.2 Plastics .................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2.3 Synthetic Plastics .................................................................................................................. 8 2.2.4 Bio-based Plastics ............................................................................................................... 11 2.2.5 Biopolymers ........................................................................................................................ 12 2.2.6 Bioplastics ........................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Polyhydroxyalkanoates ............................................................................................................... 13 2.3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 13 2.3.2 Polyhydroxyalkanoate Metabolism ..................................................................................... 14 2.3.3 Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production Limitations ................................................................... 20 2.4 Cyanobacteria ............................................................................................................................. 21 2.4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 21 2.4.2 Morphology ........................................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • First Insights Into the Impacts of Benthic Cyanobacterial Mats on Fish
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN First insights into the impacts of benthic cyanobacterial mats on fsh herbivory functions on a nearshore coral reef Amanda K. Ford 1,2*, Petra M. Visser 3, Maria J. van Herk3, Evelien Jongepier 4 & Victor Bonito5 Benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are becoming increasingly common on coral reefs. In Fiji, blooms generally occur in nearshore areas during warm months but some are starting to prevail through cold months. Many fundamental knowledge gaps about BCM proliferation remain, including their composition and how they infuence reef processes. This study examined a seasonal BCM bloom occurring in a 17-year-old no-take inshore reef area in Fiji. Surveys quantifed the coverage of various BCM-types and estimated the biomass of key herbivorous fsh functional groups. Using remote video observations, we compared fsh herbivory (bite rates) on substrate covered primarily by BCMs (> 50%) to substrate lacking BCMs (< 10%) and looked for indications of fsh (opportunistically) consuming BCMs. Samples of diferent BCM-types were analysed by microscopy and next-generation amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA). In total, BCMs covered 51 ± 4% (mean ± s.e.m) of the benthos. Herbivorous fsh biomass was relatively high (212 ± 36 kg/ha) with good representation across functional groups. Bite rates were signifcantly reduced on BCM-dominated substratum, and no fsh were unambiguously observed consuming BCMs. Seven diferent BCM-types were identifed, with most containing a complex consortium of cyanobacteria. These results provide insight into BCM composition and impacts on inshore Pacifc reefs. Tough scarcely mentioned in the literature a decade ago, benthic cyanobacterial mats (BCMs) are receiving increasing attention from researchers and managers as being a nuisance on tropical coral reefs worldwide1–4.
    [Show full text]
  • Local Hopping Mobile DNA Implicated in Pseudogene Formation And
    Vigil-Stenman et al. BMC Genomics (2015) 16:193 DOI 10.1186/s12864-015-1386-7 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Local hopping mobile DNA implicated in pseudogene formation and reductive evolution in an obligate cyanobacteria-plant symbiosis Theoden Vigil-Stenman1*, John Larsson2, Johan A A Nylander3 and Birgitta Bergman1 Abstract Background: Insertion sequences (ISs) are approximately 1 kbp long “jumping” genes found in prokaryotes. ISs encode the protein Transposase, which facilitates the excision and reinsertion of ISs in genomes, making these sequences a type of class I (“cut-and-paste”) Mobile Genetic Elements. ISs are proposed to be involved in the reductive evolution of symbiotic prokaryotes. Our previous sequencing of the genome of the cyanobacterium ‘Nostoc azollae’ 0708, living in a tight perpetual symbiotic association with a plant (the water fern Azolla), revealed the presence of an eroding genome, with a high number of insertion sequences (ISs) together with an unprecedented large proportion of pseudogenes. To investigate the role of ISs in the reductive evolution of ‘Nostoc azollae’ 0708, and potentially in the formation of pseudogenes, a bioinformatic investigation of the IS identities and positions in 47 cyanobacterial genomes was conducted. To widen the scope, the IS contents were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively in 20 other genomes representing both free-living and symbiotic bacteria. Results: Insertion Sequences were not randomly distributed in the bacterial genomes and were found to transpose short distances from their original location (“local hopping”) and pseudogenes were enriched in the vicinity of IS elements. In general, symbiotic organisms showed higher densities of IS elements and pseudogenes than non-symbiotic bacteria.
    [Show full text]
  • Potential Applications of Native Cyanobacterium Isolate (Arthrospira Platensis NIOF17/003) for Biodiesel Production and Utilizat
    sustainability Article Potential Applications of Native Cyanobacterium Isolate (Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003) for Biodiesel Production and Utilization of Its Byproduct in Marine Rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis) Production Mohamed A. Zaki 1, Mohamed Ashour 2,* , Ahmed M. M. Heneash 2, Mohamed M. Mabrouk 3, Ahmed E. Alprol 2, Hanan M. Khairy 2, Abdelaziz M. Nour 1, Abdallah Tageldein Mansour 4,5 , Hesham A. Hassanien 4,6 , Ahmed Gaber 7 and Mostafa E. Elshobary 8,9,* 1 Animal and Fish Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt; [email protected] (M.A.Z.); [email protected] (A.M.N.) 2 National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo 11516, Egypt; [email protected] (A.M.M.H.); [email protected] (A.E.A.); [email protected] (H.M.K.) 3 Fish Division, Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11823, Egypt; [email protected] 4 Animal and Fish Production Department, College of Agricultural and Food Sciences, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 420, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia; [email protected] (A.T.M.); [email protected] (H.A.H.) 5 Fish and Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Citation: Zaki, M.A.; Ashour, M.; Alexandria 21531, Egypt Heneash, A.M.M.; Mabrouk, M.M.; 6 Animal Production Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Gamma St., Giza 12613, Egypt Alprol, A.E.; Khairy, H.M.; Nour, 7 Department of Biology, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia; A.M.; Mansour, A.T.; Hassanien, H.A.; [email protected] 8 Gaber, A.; et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Detailed Characterization of the Arthrospira Type Species Separating
    www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Detailed characterization of the Arthrospira type species separating commercially grown Received: 13 August 2018 Accepted: 27 November 2018 taxa into the new genus Limnospira Published: xx xx xxxx (Cyanobacteria) Paulina Nowicka-Krawczyk 1, Radka Mühlsteinová2 & Tomáš Hauer 2 The genus Arthrospira has a long history of being used as a food source in diferent parts of the world. Its mass cultivation for production of food supplements and additives has contributed to a more detailed study of several species of this genus. In contrast, the type species of the genus (A. jenneri), has scarcely been studied. This work adopts a polyphasic approach to thoroughly investigate environmental samples of A. jenneri, whose persistent bloom was noticed in an urban reservoir in Poland, Central Europe. The obtained results were compared with strains designated as A. platensis, A. maxima, and A. fusiformis from several culture collections and other Arthrospira records from GenBank. The comparison has shown that A. jenneri difers from popular species that are massively utilized commercially with regard to its cell morphology, ultrastructure and ecology, as well as its 16S rRNA gene sequence. Based on our fndings, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Limnospira, which currently encompasses three species including the massively produced L. (A.) fusiformis and L. (A.) maxima with the type species Limnospira fusiformis. Among the simple trichal cyanobacteria, three genera possess helically-coiled trichomes as a prominent dia- critical feature: Spirulina Turpin ex Gomont 1892, Halospirulina Nübel, Garcia-Pichel et Muyzer 2000, and Arthrospira Stizenberger ex Gomont 1892. Te latter is a widely-known taxon with long history of use as a food source, for example as dihé in Africa or tecuitlatl in Mexico1–3.
    [Show full text]
  • Phylogenetic Relationships of Arthrospira Strains Inferred from 16S Rrna Gene and Cpcba-IGS Sequences
    Research Article Algae 2012, 27(2): 75-82 http://dx.doi.org/10.4490/algae.2012.27.2.075 Open Access Phylogenetic relationships of Arthrospira strains inferred from 16S rRNA gene and cpcBA-IGS sequences Gang-Guk Choi1, Chi-Yong Ahn1 and Hee-Mock Oh1,* 1Environmental Biotechnology Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 305- 806, Korea Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima are species of cyanobacteria used in health foods, animal feed, food additives, and fine chemicals. This study conducted a comparison of the 16S rRNA gene and cpcBA-intergenic spacer (cpcBA-IGS) sequences in Arthrospira strains from culture collections around the world. A cluster analysis divided the 10 Arthrospira strains into two main genotypic clusters, designated I and II, where Group I contained A. platensis SAG 86.79, UTEX 2340, A. maxima KCTC AG30054, and SAG 49.88, while Group II contained A. platensis PCC 9108, NIES 39, NIES 46, and SAG 257.80. However, although A. platensis PCC 9223 belonged to Group II-2 based on its cpcBA-IGS sequence, this strain also belonged to Group I based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene and cpcBA-IGS sequences showed no division between A. platensis and A. maxima, plus the 16S rRNA gene and cpcBA- IGS sequence clusters did not indicate any well-defined geographical distribution, instead overlapping in a rather inter- esting way. Therefore, the current study supports some previous conclusions based on 16S rRNA gene and cpcBA-IGS sequences, which found that Arthrospira taxa are monophyletic.
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Cultivation of a Native Arthrospira Platensis (Spirulina)
    processes Article Long-Term Cultivation of a Native Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) Strain in Pozo Izquierdo (Gran Canaria, Spain): Technical Evidence for a Viable Production of Food-Grade Biomass Flavio Guidi * , Zivan Gojkovic , Marianna Venuleo , Patrícia Alexandra Clemente Janeiro Assunçao and Eduardo Portillo Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), Playa de Pozo Izquierdo, s/n, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, 35119 Gran Canaria, Spain; [email protected] (Z.G.); [email protected] (M.V.); [email protected] (P.A.C.J.A.); [email protected] (E.P.) * Correspondence: [email protected] or [email protected]; Tel.: +34-928-727-617 Abstract: Microalgae cultivation is a promising alternative to traditional agriculture in arid—semi- arid areas. The aim of this study is to assess the viability of long-term cultivation of native Arthrospira platensis in Gran Canaria. Maximum culture productivity (0.08 g/L/day) and optimal concentration range (0.6–0.9 g/L) were firstly determined in 8000 L raceway under a greenhouse. Afterwards, a stable productivity of 0.06 g/L/day (6.0 g/m2/day) was obtained by reusing the culture medium Citation: Guidi, F.; Gojkovic, Z.; during 26 days of cultivation, with consistent biomass biochemical composition. Outdoor tempera- Venuleo, M.; Assunçao, P.A.C.J.; ture and daily solar irradiation ranged between 17.9–30.7 ◦C and 79.2–274.8 W/m2, while culture pH Portillo, E. Long-Term Cultivation of and salinity were in the range 9.42–10.77 and 11.2–14.9 g/L, respectively. Protein (>60%), potassium a Native Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) Strain in Pozo Izquierdo (1.8 g/100 g) and C-phycocyanin (7.2%) content is in the high-range of commercial Spirulina, which (Gran Canaria, Spain): Technical makes BEA 1257B promising for food and extraction of natural pigments/antioxidants.
    [Show full text]
  • Arthrospira (Spirulina) 2 5 Claudio Sili , Giuseppe Torzillo and Avigad Vonshak
    Arthrospira (Spirulina) 2 5 Claudio Sili , Giuseppe Torzillo and Avigad Vonshak Contents Summary Summary ........................................................................................ 677 25.1 Introduction .................................................................. 677 The successful commercial exploitation of Arthrospira because of its high nutritional value, chemical composition 25.2 Morphology................................................................... 678 and safety of the biomass has made it one of the most impor- 25.3 Taxonomy ...................................................................... 686 tant industrially cultivated microalgae. Knowledge of its 25.4 Occurrence and Distribution ...................................... 689 biology and physiology, which is essential for understand- ing the growth requirements of this alkaliphilic organism, 25.5 Physiology ..................................................................... 691 25.5.1 Response to Environmental Factors ............................... 692 has been used in developing suitable technologies for mass 25.5.1.1 Effect of Light on Growth .............................................. 692 cultivation. The relationships between environmental and 25.5.1.2 Light Stress – Photoinhibition ....................................... 692 cultural factors, which govern productivity in outdoor cul- 25.5.1.3 Effect of Temperature on Photosynthesis tures, are discussed in connection with growth yield and and Respiration .............................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Research Article ECOLOGY and DIVERSITY of ALKALIPHILIC CYANOBACTERIA from SODA LAKE LONAR, INDIA
    Available Online at http://www.recentscientific.com International Journal of CODEN: IJRSFP (USA) Recent Scientific International Journal of Recent Scientific Research Research Vol. 11, Issue, 07 (A), pp. 39131-39137, July, 2020 ISSN: 0976-3031 DOI: 10.24327/IJRSR Research Article ECOLOGY AND DIVERSITY OF ALKALIPHILIC CYANOBACTERIA FROM SODA LAKE LONAR, INDIA Devendra Deshmukh1* and Pravin Puranik2 1Department of Microbiology, NKSPT’s, Arts, Science and Commerce College, Badnapur 2Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24327/ijrsr.2020.1107.5447 ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article History: Soda lakes have always attracted the scientific community with the microorganism existing in the Alkaline habitat specifically the cyanobacteria. In the present study based on morphological Received 06th April, 2020 difference 7 species belonging to 4 genera and 2 orders were observed which were isolated from Received in revised form 14th alkaline saline Lake Lonar situated in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra, India. All the May, 2020 cyanobacteria reported were non- heterocystous. A relatively lower diversity of the cyanobacterial Accepted 23rd June, 2020 population was observed in alkaline lake. A significant correlations obtained between ‘total Published online 28th July, 2020 chlorophyll’ and ‘chlorophyll a’ and cyanobacterial density, but some non significant correlations were also observed with some of different physicochemical parameters. Regression analysis for Key Words: significant correlations between environmental parameters of habitats and ‘chlorophyll a’ as well as Lonar Lake, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyll bacterial count were observed and analyzed. Significant correlation (p<0.05) was obtained between ‘a’, Population density chlorophyll a content, cyanobacterial density, and the physicochemical parameters in the year 2009 as compared to year 2007 and 2008.
    [Show full text]
  • Characterization of Arthrospira Platensis Cultured in Wastewater of Clarias Catfish Farming Media: DNA Barcode, Helical Form, Growth, and Phycocyanin
    BIODIVERSITAS ISSN: 1412-033X Volume 21, Number 12, December 2020 E-ISSN: 2085-4722 Pages: 5872-5883 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d211252 Characterization of Arthrospira platensis cultured in wastewater of Clarias catfish farming media: DNA barcode, helical form, growth, and phycocyanin MARINI WIJAYANTI1,♥, M. SYAIFUDIN1, YULISMAN1, YULLY NURIANTI1, ANITA HIDAYANI1, NUNI GOFAR2 1Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University. Jl. Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32, Indralaya, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Tel./fax.: +62-711-580059, email: [email protected] 2Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University. Jl. Palembang Prabumulih Km 32, Indralaya, Ogan Ilir, South Sumatera, Indonesia Manuscript received: 1 November 2020. Revision accepted: 28 November 2020. Abstract. Wijayanti M, Syafudin M, Yulisman, Nurianti Y, Hidayani A, Gofar N. 2020. Characterization of Arthrospira platensis cultured in wastewater of Clarias catfish farming media: DNA barcode, helical form, growth, and phycocyanin. Biodiversitas 21: 5872- 5883. Arthrospira production technology in catfish waste media can be an alternative to reduce environmental pollution. However, some environmental factors such as nutrition, light, and water content can influence characterization of Arthrospira at the genetic and physiologic level. Arthrospira platensis is one of the phycocyanin-producing cyanobacteria and can be cultured using catfish culture wastewater. Water quality especially pH and salinity can effect of growth rate and residue of phycocyanin from Arthrospira platensis. This study aimed to identify the species and morphological forms of Arthrospira cultured using technical fertilizer and waste media, as well as to know the phylogenetic trees between species in this study and the GeneBank based on the 16S rRNA gene, and determine the optimum of pH and salinity required in the medium of catfish culture wastewater to phycocyanin maximum production of Arthrospira.
    [Show full text]
  • Masterarbeit / Master's Thesis
    MASTERARBEIT / MASTER’S THESIS Titel der Masterarbeit / Title of the Master‘s Thesis „Is Arthrospira fusiformis able to fix molecular nitrogen?“ verfasst von / submitted by Anna-Maria Gschwandner, BSc angestrebter akademischer Grad / in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (MSc) Wien, 2017 / Vienna, 2017 Studienkennzahl lt. Studienblatt / A 066 833 degree programme code as it appears on the student record sheet: Studienrichtung lt. Studienblatt / Masterstudium Ecology and Ecosystems degree programme as it appears on the student record sheet: Betreut von / Supervisor: Ao. Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Michael Schagerl 2 Table of content 1. Allgemeine Einleitung ................................................................................................... 5 2. Is Arthrospira fusiformis able to fix molecular nitrogen? ........................................... 15 2.1. Abstract ................................................................................................................ 15 2.2. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 17 2.3. Material and Methods ......................................................................................... 21 2.4. Results .................................................................................................................. 26 2.5. Discussion ............................................................................................................ 29 2.6. List of tables
    [Show full text]
  • Algal Communities of Kenyan Soda Lakes with a Special Focus on Arthrospira Fusiformis
    Fottea, Olomouc, 15(2): 245–257, 2015 245 DOI: 10.5507/fot.2015.012 Algal communities of Kenyan soda lakes with a special focus on Arthrospira fusiformis Michael SCHAGERL1*, Alfred BURIAN2, Martin GRUBER–DORNINGER1 & Steve O. ODUOR3, Mary N. KAGGWA4 1 University of Vienna, Department of Limnology and Bio–Oceanography, Althanstrasse 14, A–1090 Vienna, Austria; * Corresponding author e–mail: [email protected] 2 Stockholm University, Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Sweden. 3 Egerton University, Department of Biological Sciences, Kenya. 4 University of Rwanda, Nyagatare Campus, Rwanda. Abstract: Soda lakes are simple in biodiversity, but due to their highly stochastic environmental dynamics unexpected shifts in species composition do occur. We studied key drivers for structuring phytoplankton communities and identified variables significantly influencing changes of Arthrospira fusiformis abundance in the Kenyan soda lakes, Nakuru and Bogoria. In both lakes, Arthrospira fusiformis dominated algal biomass, but in Nakuru, crashes of this taxon were recorded. The three variables sodium, pH and dry mass significantly contributed to the phytoplankton taxa pattern. Arthrospira was absent at highest turbidity and salinity levels, being outcompeted by the small, single–celled chlorophyte Picocystis salinarium. Picoplankton was in general connected to higher pH values and tended to occur anti–cyclic to Arthrospira. Overall, the abundance of A. fusiformis was influenced by the boundaries of habitat suitability, light
    [Show full text]
  • Ecomorphological Variability of Arthrospira Fusiformis (Cyanoprokaryota) in African Soda Lakes
    ORIGINAL RESEARCH Ecomorphological variability of Arthrospira fusiformis (Cyanoprokaryota) in African soda lakes Mary Nakabungo Kaggwa1, Alfred Burian2, Steve Omondi Oduor3 & Michael Schagerl1 1Department of Limnology and Oceanography, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, A-1190 Vienna, Austria 2Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, Frescati Backe, Svante Arrhenius V 21A, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden 3Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, P.O Box 536, Egerton, Kenya Keywords Abstract Arthrospira, cell, environment, filament, phytoplankton morphology, saline lakes, The filamentous spirally coiled cyanoprokaryote Arthrospira fusiformis is found Spirulina. in extremely high densities in tropical soda lakes acting as driving force of the food web. We studied pronounced temporal morphological changes of Arthro- Correspondence spira in Kenyan soda lakes, Nakuru and Bogoria, and identified underlying key Michael Schagerl, Department of Limnology factors. Cell (diameter and height) and filament (height of coil, coil diameter, and Oceanography, University of Vienna, and number) dimensions were measured from weekly samples collected over a Althanstrasse 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria. period of 16 months. In both lakes, medium-sized cells and large, widely coiled Tel: +43 1 4277 76414; Fax: +43 1 4277 876414; E-mail: michael. filaments prevailed most. Percentage of large, widely coiled filaments was pro- [email protected] moted by elevated levels of soluble reactive phosphorus, wind speed, tempera- ture and conductivity and the opposite for small filaments. Large, narrow- Funding Information coiled filaments were associated with an increase in mainly Arthrospira-grazing The financial support offered by the Austrian zooplankton and cyanophage infections. Widely coiled spirals were promoted Partnership Programme in Higher Education by increased turbulences.
    [Show full text]