Taxonomic classification of cyanoprokaryotes (cyanobacterial genera) 2014, using a polyphasic approach

The whole classification of cyanobacteria (species, genera, families, orders) has undergone extensive restructuring and revision in recent years with the advent of phylogenetic analyses based on molecular sequence data. Several recent revisionary and monographic works initiated a revision and it is anticipated there will be further changes in the future. However, with the completion of the monographic series on the Cyanobacteria in Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa, and the recent flurry of taxonomic papers describing new genera, it seems expedient that a summary of the modern taxonomic system for cyanobacteria should be published. In this review, we present the status of all currently used families of cyanobacteria, review the results of molecular taxonomic studies, descriptions and characteristics of new orders and new families and the elevation of a few subfamilies to family level. All recently defined cyanobacterial genera (some still invalid) are listed in the family to which they are likely to belong and an indication is given of their taxonomic validity and level of polyphasic characterization of each genus.