The cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii represents a challenge for researchers and it is extensively studied for its toxicity and invasive behaviour, which is presumably enhanced by global warming. Biogeography studies indicate a tropical origin for this species, with Greece considered as the expansion route of C. raciborskii in Europe. The widening of its geographic distribution and the isolation of strains showing high optimum growth temperature underline its ecological heterogeneity, suggesting the existence of different ecotypes. The dominance of species like C. raciborskii along with their ecotoxicology and potential human risk related problems, render the establishment of a clear phylogeography model essential. In the context of the present study, the characterization of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii TAU-MAC 1414 strain, isolated from Lake Karla, with respect to its phylogeography and toxic potential, is attempted. Our research provides new insights on the origin of C. raciborskii in the Mediterranean region; C. raciborskii expanded in Mediterranean from North America, whilst the rest of the European strains may originate from Asia and Australia. Microcystin synthetase genes, phylogenetic closely related with Microcystis strains, were also present in C. raciborskii TAU-MAC 1414. We were unable to unambiguously confirm the presence of MC-LR, using LC–MS/MS. Our results are shedding light on the expansion and distribution of C. raciborskii, whilst they pose further questions on the toxic capacity of this species.

蓝藻Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii对研究人员构成了挑战，并且对其毒性和侵入性行为进行了广泛的研究，据推测，全球变暖会增强这种毒性和侵入性。生物地理学研究表明，该物种是热带起源，希腊被认为是欧洲拉美梭菌的扩展路线。其地理分布的扩大和最佳生长温度高的菌株的分离突出了其生态异质性，表明存在不同的生态类型。C. raciborskii等物种的优势连同其生态毒理学和潜在的人类风险相关问题，使建立清晰的系统地理学模型至关重要。在本研究的背景下，尝试从卡拉湖分离出的拟南芥TAU-MAC 1414菌株，从其系统地理学和毒性潜力方面进行表征。我们的研究为地中海地区梭状芽胞杆菌的起源提供了新见解。C. raciborskii从北美扩展到地中海，而其他欧洲菌株可能起源于亚洲和澳大利亚。与微囊藻菌株密切相关的微囊藻毒素合成酶基因也存在于拉氏梭菌中。TAU-MAC1414。我们无法使用LC-MS / MS明确确认MC-LR的存在。我们的结果揭示了C. raciborskii的扩展和分布，同时也对该种的毒性产生了进一步的疑问。