A polyphasic study of four Stigonematales cyanobacteria from tropical Australia
(Queensland) revealed production of the hepatotoxins microcystins (MC-LR, MC-LA, MCLF,
MC-FR and demethyl-MC-LR) by Fischerella sp. NQAIF311 isolated from a seasonal creek.
Total microcystin content reached 43 mg g1 dry weight. Phylogeny demonstrated high
sequence similarities for 16S rRNA (99%), mcyE (97%) and mcyD (95%) genes with
microcystin-producing Fischerella sp. CENA161 from Brazil. This is the first report of a
cyanotoxin-producing Stigonematal in Australia