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Marine cyanobacteria in tropical regions: diversity and ecology
Hoffmann, L. (1999). Marine cyanobacteria in tropical regions: diversity and ecology. Eur. J. Phycol. 34(4): 371-379. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09670269910001736432
In: European Journal of Phycology. Cambridge University Press/Taylor & Francis: Cambridge. ISSN 0967-0262; e-ISSN 1469-4433, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Biodiversity
    Chemical reactions > Nitrogen fixation
    Cyanobacteria
    Geography > Biogeography
    Tropics
    Cyanobacteria [WoRMS]
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    Secondary metabolites

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Abstract
    Tropical marine ecosystems are characterized by a specific cyanobacterial flora, temperature most probably being the major factor limiting the geographic distribution of the species. When compared with the open ocean, the highest biodiversity of cyanobacteria is observed in the littoral zones where they form intertidal and infralittoral mats, live as endoliths in carbonate substrates or form symbiotic associations, especially with sponges and ascidians. Their diversity, which especially in the less accessible infralittoral is still largely unknown, is also a source of diverse bioactive compounds, some of which are important as herbivore deterrents. As photosynthetic organisms, cyanobacteria sensu lato (including Prochlorophyta) are important contributors to benthic and open ocean primary production, but their main role in the tropical marine ecosystems appears to be as nitrogen fixers. Of primary importance in the often oligotrophic tropical oceans is the nonheterocystous, planktonic bloom-forming Trichodesmium, which probably represents a major nitrogen source for the marine and global nitrogen cycle.

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