Cyanobacteria diversity in various waterbodies of Mosul, Iraq

Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic bacteria that can adapt to various environments due to their extensive physiological adaptability. These bacteria are naturally distributed in diverse ecosystems, including freshwater, marshes, groundwater, lakes, brackish water (estuaries), salt water, moist soils, and dry land. This study was conducted to enlist cyanobacteria isolates in different waterbodies in Mosul, Iraq. For this purpose, 16 sites were selected and sampled. Based on the results, the Gloeocapsa nigrescens was the dominant species (10.34%), followed by Microcystis robusta (6.69%), Oscillatoria nigro-viridis (6.69%), and Oscillatoria sp. (6.69%). Mosul Dam Lake (station 12) was the most diverse one with six cyanobacteria species, including Schizothrix sp., Aphanocapsa koordesii, G. crepidium, O. trichoides, M. flos-aquae, and Plectonema tomasinianum.