An inventory on the diversity of family scytonemataceae in selected districts adjoining the western ghats region of Kerala

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are the largest and most diverse group of photosynthetic microorganisms, thriving in nearly all habitats, including extreme climatic conditions. The Scytonemataceae family is unique among cyanobacteria for its false branching phenotype and includes ecologically significant species, making it especially interesting for agricultural and biotechnological applications. This family is noted for its taxonomic diversity and widespread distribution. The present study was carried out on the diversity of the family Scytonemataceae in 52 sampling sites falling in the Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad districts of the Western Ghats region of Kerala, India. Collecting cyanobacterial specimens and assessing their microclimatic conditions were carried out on a seasonal basis. Apart from the diversity assessments, the study focused on the habitat characteristics, seasonality, spatio-temporal patterns, and impacts of environmental factors influencing the growth and distribution of the Scytonemataceae family in the Western Ghat mountain chain region. A total of 35 species belonging to the Scytonemataceae family were identified, of which 23 are new to Kerala, and 16 are new to India. The study revealed that in terms of temporal scale, seasonal variation had the most significant effect on the cyanobacteria belonging to the family Scytonemataceae, with the highest diversity during the monsoon season, followed by the post-monsoon. In contrast, the pre-monsoon season exhibited relatively lower cyanobacterial diversity. From a spatial perspective, environmental factors such as moisture, atmospheric temperature, Surface temperature, and diurnal temperature are strong determinants of the growth of the Scytonemataceae family during allseasons. This research highlights that seasonal variations and specific environmental factors strongly influence the diversity of the Scytonemataceae family in the Western Ghats region of Kerala.