Characterization and dynamics of cyanophages from tropical surface waters

Abstract

Two cyanophages which infect Anabaena circinalis and four cyanophages which infect Anabaena cylindrica were successfully isolated from Kranji Reservoir. Cyanophages which infect A. circinalis showed the ability to suppress the growth of host cells, subsequently preventing the expansion of host populations. Results of in situ studies from the occurrence and dynamics of cyanophages in Kranji Reservoir (from August 2008 to August 2009) showed that Microcystis spp. infectious cyanophages potentially controlled the Microcystis blooms and changes of intra- species of Microcystis spp. in Kranji Reservoir. The cyanomyovirus population dynamics in Kranji Reservoir were examined from August 2008 to February 2009. The results showed that the changes in cyanomyovirus genetic diversity over the sampling period and possible links to shifts in the cyanobacterial population. In addition, results from the diversity study strongly support the hypothesis that cyanophages play an important role in controlling the cyanobacteria diversity Kranji Reservoir