Genetic Diversity and Anatoxin Profiles of Freshwater Benthic Cyanobacteria From Nova Scotia (Canada).

ABSTRACT: Some mat-forming cyanobacteria produce harmful cyanotoxins, yet benthic species remain understudied compared to planktonic counterparts. This study assesses the diversity, distribution and toxin production of mat-forming cyanobacteria across lentic and lotic systems in Nova Scotia, Canada. We documented greater cyanobacterial species richness in lentic environments, with six dominant species distributed into two major Microcoleus clades, five of which represent putative novel taxa. Two Microcoleus species with the genetic repertoire to produce anatoxins were prevalent. One has been previously reported in Canada, while the second represents a novel species found exclusively in an environment impacted by discharge from a water treatment plant. We observed variability in the gene clusters res

SUBMITTER: Valadez-Cano C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11867711 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature