Anabaena bergii Ostenf. [f. minor (Kisselev) Kossinsk.] (Cyanoprokaryota) – the first record in Serbia, its taxonomic status, and that of the genus Anabaena Bory ex Born. & Flah.

Abstract

Within the framework of a detailed survey of the algal community in salt marshes of the Vojvodina Province (Northern Serbia), we rather unexpectedly found the blue-green alga Anabaena bergii Ostenf. [forma minor (Kisselev) Kossinsk.] in water samples from Slatina Pond near Opovo. Our finding represents its first record in Serbia. The present paper gives general characteristics of this alga and of the habitat in which it was found. Based on analysis of a large number of works dealing with characteristics and the taxonomic status of the genus Anabaena, the species A. bergii, and its forma minor, it is concluded that there are numerous problems in taxonomy of the given genus, with no consensus among researchers. In light of the available data, the authors retain the name of the species A. bergii, but accept forma minor with some reserve.