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Morphological variability of Arthrospira (Spirulina) fusiformis (Cyanophyta) in relation to environmental variables in the tropical soda lake Chitu, Ethiopia

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Abstract

Although variability of Arthrospira morphology, widely used in taxonomy and other valuable aspects, as a response to changes in environmental variables has been studied in laboratory cultures, little is known about such responses in the natural habitats. In this study, Arthrospira fusiformis was characterized morphologically in relation to selected environmental variables in the natural ecosystem. Three distinct morphotypes, tightly coiled (H-type), spiral or loosely coiled (S-type), and intermediately coiled (C-type) were observed and described. They varied largely in the degree of coiling, trichome and helix dimensions, coils, shape of trichome end and trichome abundance. The H-type was the most dominant (50%) followed by the S-type (40%). The dominance of H-type and tightening of helix pitch were strongly associated with NO3 − and HCO3 − deficiencies, and high levels of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and temperature of the lake. The abundance of S-type was more strongly but negatively related to the high salinity of the lake, probably indicating that decreasing salinity may favor the S-type. In conclusion, the variability in abundance and morphology seem to suggest that A. fusiformis could show morphological modifications in response to environmental stresses in their natural soda lakes, resulting in occurrence of various morphotypes of the same species.

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Acknowledgments

This study was carried out with the financial and logistical support offered by Graduate Studies Program and Thematic Research Project (Ziway-Shala Basin Sub-thematic Research Group) of Addis Ababa University. We thank Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) and Abijata-Shala Lakes National Park Administration for granting permission to research in Lake Chitu.

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  1. Department of Biology, Debre Berhan University, PO Box 445, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia

    Tadesse Ogato

  2. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Stream, Department of Zoological Sciences, Addis Ababa University, PO Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Demeke Kifle

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  1. Tadesse Ogato
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Correspondence to Tadesse Ogato.

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Ogato, T., Kifle, D. Morphological variability of Arthrospira (Spirulina) fusiformis (Cyanophyta) in relation to environmental variables in the tropical soda lake Chitu, Ethiopia. Hydrobiologia 738, 21–33 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-014-1912-7

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