Untangling filamentous marine cyanobacterial diversity from the coast of South Florida with the description of Vermifilaceae fam. nov. and three new genera: Leptochromothrix gen. nov., Ophiophycus gen. nov., and Vermifilum gen. nov.

Benthic cyanobacterial mats are an integral component of aquatic communities in tropical marine waters. These can develop into massive nuisances at risk expansion due to climate change. The extent diversity occurring within these mats, still remains largely unexplored, especially Florida. To reveal this diversity, coastal environments South Florida were sampled and subsequently processed for isolation systematic identification. Three new genera proposed based on the molecular phylogeny, morphology, ecology. characterized by discoid cells homocytous, unbranched filaments without sheaths. Individual genus morphological differences include either rounded bent, rounded, or conical apical cells. A unique fingerprint including a base pair insert 16S rRNA gene sequence genetic similarities facilitates delimitation novel family Vermifilaceae. Using polyphasic approach, our research presents three four species cyanobacteria inhabiting ecosystems