Name: Arthrospira fusiformis (Woronichin 1934) Komárek and Lund 1990

Category: Species

Proposed as: comb. nov.

Basonym: Spirulina fusiformis Woronichin 1934

Etymology: fu.si.for’mis. L. masc./fem. adj. suff. -formis, form; N.L. fem. adj. fusiformis, spindle-shaped

Pronunciation, gender: fu-si-FOR-mis, feminine

Holotype: CCALA 26; SAG 85.79; UTEX 2340

Conduct genome-based taxonomy at

16S rRNA gene: KM019968 Analyse FASTA

Valid publication: Komárek J, Lund JWG. What is Spirulina platensis in fact?. Algological Studies 1990; 58:1-13.

Nomenclatural status: validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code)

Taxonomic status: synonym

Correct name: Limnospira maxima (Setchell and Gardner 1917) Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019

• Synonyms:

  • Name	Kind
    Arthrospira maxima Setchell and Gardner 1917	heterotypic synonym, validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code)
    Spirulina fusiformis Woronichin 1934	homotypic synonym, validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code)
    Limnospira fusiformis (Woronichin 1934) Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019	homotypic synonym, validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code)
    Limnospira indica (Desikachary and Jeeji Bai 1992) Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019	heterotypic synonym, validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code)
    Spirulina maxima (Setchell and Gardner 1917) Geitler 1932	heterotypic synonym, validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code), illegitimate name, later homonym
    Limnospira maxima (Setchell and Gardner 1917) Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019	heterotypic synonym, validly published under the ICN (Botanical Code)

• Notes:
  • ⏲ According to Pinchart et al. (2024), this species is a later heterotypic synonym of Spirulina maxima (Setchell and Gardner 1917) Geitler 1932. Publication: Pinchart PE, Marter P, Brinkmann H, Quilichini Y, Mysara M, Petersen J, Pasqualini V, Mastroleo F. The genus Limnospira contains only two species both unable to produce microcystins: L. maxima and L. platensis comb. nov. iScience 2024; 27:110845.
  • ⏲ According to Pinchart et al. (2024), this species is a later heterotypic synonym of Arthrospira maxima Setchell and Gardner 1917. Publication: Pinchart PE, Marter P, Brinkmann H, Quilichini Y, Mysara M, Petersen J, Pasqualini V, Mastroleo F. The genus Limnospira contains only two species both unable to produce microcystins: L. maxima and L. platensis comb. nov. iScience 2024; 27:110845.
  • ⏲ According to Pinchart et al. (2024), this species is a later heterotypic synonym of Limnospira maxima (Setchell and Gardner 1917) Nowicka-Krawczyk et al. 2019. Publication: Pinchart PE, Marter P, Brinkmann H, Quilichini Y, Mysara M, Petersen J, Pasqualini V, Mastroleo F. The genus Limnospira contains only two species both unable to produce microcystins: L. maxima and L. platensis comb. nov. iScience 2024; 27:110845.
  • ❗ Arthrospira fusiformis is the correct name instead if this species is regarded as a separate species (i.e., if its nomenclatural type is not assigned to another species whose name is validly published, legitimate and not rejected and has priority) within a separate genus Arthrospira.
  • 🎓 Name mentioned 15 times in PubMed until 2025-06-04.

Parent taxon: Arthrospira Stizenberger ex Gomont 1892

Assigned by: Komárek J, Lund JWG. What is Spirulina platensis in fact?. Algological Studies 1990; 58:1-13.

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Record number: 6694