Morphology, phylogeny and fatty acid profiles of Meyerella similis from freshwater ponds and Meyerella krienitzii sp. nov. from soil (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta)

Abstract

Abstract The taxonomic diversity of the algal genus Meyerella is difficult to study because of its very simple morphology. Within the Chlorella-clade Meyerella members are distinguished from the others by the absence of the pyrenoid. However, it is not possible to identify them only on the basis of light microscopy data without the involvement of molecular genetic analysis methods. At the same time, such studies are of great practical importance, since some of them have high biotechnological potential, because they are able to accumulate valuable metabolites, including polyunsaturated fatty acids. As a rule, water bodies are the main habitats for these green microalgae. However, strains ACSSI 428 and ACSSI 429, which were studied in detail in this study, were isolated from peat cryozems (Sakha Republic, Russia). In the course of the study, a detailed comparative analysis of the morphology, phylogeny and fatty acid profiles of these strains isolated from soil and representatives of other planktonic species, primarily M. similis, was carried out. Based on the results obtained, it was found that the studied strains are representatives of new species with high biotechnological potential – M. krienitzii sp. nov.