Kamptonema (Microcoleaceae, Cyanobacteria), a new genus derived from the polyphyletic Phormidium on the basis of combined molecular and cytomorphological markers.

Based on strains obtained from various regions and selected from the CCALA collection (Institute of BotanyAS CR) in Třeboň, a special clade of the order Oscillatoriales (Cyanobacteria), was identified and defined during a taxonomic revision of filamentous cyanobacteria. This study involved combined molecular, cytomorphological and ecological analysis. The new cluster, evaluated as a new genus, Kamptonema, is based on a clonal population from thermal waters in Dax, France, and corresponds to the type species, originally described as “Oscillatoria animalis” Agardh 1927 from thermal springs in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. Members of this new generic unit occur in various freshwater habitats throughout the world and play an important role (production of biomass) in central European aquatic ecosystems, e.g. in many periodical puddles and pools. The genus Kamptonema, with type species K. animale (Agardh 1927) comb. nova, is characterized by its separate position in a phylogenetic tree, its relatively thin unbranched filaments, characteristic cellular ultrastructure and lack of sheaths, heterocytes and akinetes. The type species is ecologically distinct, occurring in thermal springs. The necessary taxonomic and nomenclatoric transfers of related taxa are included in this article.