Polymorphic stages of the fresh water blue-green alga, Gomphosphaeria aponina

The natural growth of a population of Gomphosphaeria aponina Kuetzing (Chroococcales, Cyanoprocaryota) was studied in a cemented freshwater tank in Allahabad, India. This population appeared to be a polymorphic species. Different species of the genus Gomphosphaeria have been segregated based on morphological features of colonies, cells and mucilage. However, these features are not well defined for different species. Our observations revealed many feature variations and, interestingly, certain features that have been described for different Gomphosphaeria species were seen in a single population. In this study, records of such variable morphological features were possible due to the availability of numerous specimens and continuous observations for more than two years. Further, this study revealed two points: (i) more detailed morphological studies are required both from nature as well as in culture to identify critical differences among the species, and (ii) molecular characterization of taxa appears to be necessary for final species settlement.