Sodalinema

Abstract

So.da.li.ne.ma. Gr. neut. n. nêma , filament; N.L. neut. n. Sodalinema , the name of the genus referring to alkaline‐saline habitats where this cyanobacterium was found (soda lake) and to the cyanobacterium morphology. Cyanobacteriota / Cyanobacteriia / Cyanobacteriales / Geitlerinemaceae / Sodalinema The Phormidium genus has been described as one of the most difficult phylogenetic lineages to resolve, with over 200 identified species representing distinct polyphyletic groups, including multiple strains intermingled with the genus Sodalinema . In this article, we attempt to address this inconsistency by describing and differentiating the genus Sodalinema from the other taxonomic lineage previously named Phormidium , using the Genome Taxonomy Database as a framework for data‐driven classification. This genus contains 64 strains, including 5 strains with high‐quality isolate genomes, 9 strains with associated metagenome‐assembled genomes, and 50 additional strains represented by small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences. Many of these strains have been identified as having potential for biotechnological applications and grow in high‐density biofilms. Members of the Sodalinema genus are filamentous cyanobacterium with straight, cylindrical, and unbranched trichomes. They perform oxygenic photosynthesis, with some strains capable of nonheterocystous nitrogen fixation and phototaxis. Colonies typically exist in the form of biofilms or microbial mats, growing either attached or floating, and have been observed globally in a variety of habitats, ranging from freshwater, marine, and high‐salinity environments (1.6–234 g/l total salinity), pH from neutral to 11.2, and temperatures up to 50°C. Strains are commonly isolated from high‐salinity soda lakes or salt marshes with no identified biosynthesis of cyanobacterial toxins. DNA G + C content (mol%) : 51.1–53.4. Type species : Sodalinema komarekii Cellamare et al. 2018.