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Issue: Vol. 763 No. 1: 18 Jun. 2026
Type: Article
Published: 2026-06-18
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.763.1.4
Page range: 41-54
Abstract views: 0
PDF downloaded: 0

Polyphasic characterization of an ecologically differentiated novel cyanobacterium: Ammassolinea thermalis sp. nov. (Oscillatoriaceae, Oscillatoriales) isolated from a tropical hot spring in Malaysian Borneo

Faculty of Resource Science and Technology; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; 94300 Kota Samarahan; Sarawak; Malaysia
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; 94300 Kota Samarahan; Sarawak; Malaysia; Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation (IBEC); Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; 94300 Kota Samarahan; Sarawak; Malaysia
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; 94300 Kota Samarahan; Sarawak; Malaysia
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; 94300 Kota Samarahan; Sarawak; Malaysia
Faculty of Resource Science and Technology; Universiti Malaysia Sarawak; 94300 Kota Samarahan; Sarawak; Malaysia
Bachok Marine Research Station; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences; University of Malaya; Bachok; 16310 Kelantan; Malaysia
Bachok Marine Research Station; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences; University of Malaya; Bachok; 16310 Kelantan; Malaysia
Bachok Marine Research Station; Institute of Ocean and Earth Sciences; University of Malaya; Bachok; 16310 Kelantan; Malaysia
Algae Ammassolinea Cyanobacteria Hot spring 16S rRNA gene 16S–23S ITS Secondary Structure Sarawak

Abstract

In this study, a novel cyanobacterium, Ammassolinea thermalis sp. nov., was isolated from a hot spring pool in Sarawak, Malaysia. The novel species was characterized using a polyphasic approach combining morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses, and its ecological significance was evaluated. Morphologically, the trichomes form heap-like colonies composed of straight to slightly bent filaments, consistent with the genus Ammassolinea. Ammassolinea thermalis differs from A. attenuata by the occasional presence of capitate apical cells, slight cell and crosswall bulging, and rarely attenuated trichomes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene placed the strains within the genus Ammassolinea and supported its separation from A. attenuata, although the genetic similarity was relatively high. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S–23S ITS region and secondary structure comparisons revealed only minor differences, particularly within the V2 helix. However, the polyphasic approach which integrating morphological, molecular, and ecological evidence, supports the recognition of Ammassolinea thermalis as a novel species associated with geothermal habitats.

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How to Cite

Ong, Y.S., Teng, S.T., Abdullah, N., Jamil, N.I., Wong, O.R.Y., Hii, K.S., Leaw, C.P. & Lim, P.T. (2026) Polyphasic characterization of an ecologically differentiated novel cyanobacterium: Ammassolinea thermalis sp. nov. (Oscillatoriaceae, Oscillatoriales) isolated from a tropical hot spring in Malaysian Borneo. Phytotaxa 763 (1): 41–54. https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.763.1.4