A Preliminary Identification of Cyanophyta/Cyanobacteria in the brackish milkfish ponds of Marakei, Nikunau and Kiritimati Atolls, Republic of Kiribati

Abstract

Common cyanophyta/cyanobacteria from the milkfish ponds of Marakei, Nikunau and Kiritimati atolls are species of Lyngbya and Spirulina. Those found on Marakei and Nikunau only include Chroococcus minutus, and species of Microcystis, Oscillatoria and Spirulina. Chroococus minor and Chroococus sp. were identified from Marakei, Nikunau and Kiritimati, respectively. Phormidium muricola (associated with Microcystis aeruginosa) and Phormidium sp. are found on Marakei and Kiritimati, respectively. Those found on Marakei only include Anabaena, Coelosphaerium kuetzingianum (dominant), Microcystis aeruginosa (co-dominant) and Merismopedia. The taxa found on Nikunau only include Dactylococcopsis, Nodularia and Raphidiopsis. Those found on Kiritimati only include Chlorogloea (dominant) with codominants Aphanothece, Johannesbaptistia, Chroococcidiopsis, Dunaliella, Coccochloris and Leptolyngbya.