Original paper
Cyanobionts from cycad coralloid roots
Grilli Caiola, Maria
Algological Studies/Archiv für Hydrobiologie, Supplement Volumes No. 83 (1996), p. 331 - 346
50 references
published: Dec 19, 1996
DOI: 10.1127/algol_stud/83/1996/331
ArtNo. ESP142011700022, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
The taxonomy of cycad cyanobionts is difficult because of the profound modifications they undergo in symbiosis. Moreover the determination of cycad cyanobionts in culture also encounters problems because of the different pattern of development shown in response to numerous factors such as medium composition, temperature, light intensity and regime and contaminants. Research carried out on over 100 cyanobionts isolated from 17 cycad species grown under similar conditions indicated that Nostoc was the most frequent genus present in culture. Trichormus represented only 2% of the isolates. No specificity has been found between the cycad host and the cyanobiont. The formation of motile hormogonia is the most widespread process found among the isolates.
Keywords
Cyanobionts • Nostoc • coralloid roots • cycads • symbiosis