Molecular Identification and Morphological Characterization of Indigenous Soil cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. ISC 55

Cyanobacteria have a high morphological flexibility, so their identification is problematic. In this research, identification and morphological variability of indigenous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. ISC 55 Bory ex Bornetet Flahault (Nostocaceae) is investigated disciplines-wide. For this purpose, soil samples were cultured in BG110 medium and Anabaena sp. ISC 55, after isolation and treatment with different pHs (5, 7& 9) and salinities (0, 1, 2, 3, 4& 5%), which then were followed biometrically and morphologically in solid and liquid medium via light and florescent microscope. Also, wall and cell variation was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Morphological and molecular identification was carried out by valuable keys and 16s rDNA partial sequencing respectively. The results indicated that morphological variation of Anabaena sp. ISC 55 is dependent on the effect of pH and salinity. Biometric analysis implied that heterocyst and akinet shape is one of the most stable features and can be considered as a distinguishable character. The effect of pH is more highlighted in comparison to salinity. In salinities less than 1% and alkaline condition, optimum condition for colonization is prepared and clump shape of colonies can be considered as a stable character. Molecular identification confirmed the morphological one.