Adaptive Traits of Bloom Forming Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides in a Mediterranean Ramsar Wetland: Morphology, 16S Phylogeny and Nutrient/Light Responses | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Volume 29, Issue 5, September and October 2025, Pages 3237-3253 PDF (601.13 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.433779.6830 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Aicha ZELLAL* 1; Sid-Ahmed Chawki LAMARA2; Sidi Mohammed El-Amine ABI-AYAD3 | ||
| 1Department of Biotechnology, University of Oran1 , Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Algeria | ||
| 2Department of Biotechnology. University of Oran 1, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life. | ||
| 3fDepartment of Biotechnology. University of Oran1, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides is an invasive cyanobacterial species recently detected in the Macta Marshes, a Ramsar-listed wetland in northwestern Algeria recognized for its ecological importance to Mediterranean biodiversity. In recent years, this area experienced advanced eutrophication affecting numerous watercourses and small lakes. The present study provides a morphological, molecular and physiological characterization of S. aphanizomenoides strain isolated from a summer bloom in the marshes, where chlorophyll a concentration reached 141.6µg/l, indicating an eutrophic aquatic ecosystems with high phytoplankton biomass. Morphological identification supported by 16SrDNA gene sequencing confirmed the species identity. Physiological assays revealed that the strain can grow in nitrate-free media, whereas phosphate limitation significantly reduced its development. Moreover, the ability of the strain to grow under complete darkness highlights its adaptive strategies to low light conditions. These findings demonstrate the remarkable adaptability of Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides and its potential role in algal blooms, underscoring the need for further research into its ecological impact and proliferation mechanisms. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Cyanobacteria; Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides; Eutrophication; Macta Marshes; 16SrDNA sequencing; North-west Algeria | ||
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