Growth and temperature‐related phenotypic plasticity in the cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is an invasive and potentially toxic cyanobacterium, which has recently spread worldwide, mainly because of its tolerance to a wide range of climatic conditions. C. raciborskii is able to change several traits in response to environmental changes and its morphology is also affected by these changes (especially in nutrients). We also expected temperature to affect the morphology of this cyanobacterium. We examined the growth and morphology of C. raciborskii at different temperatures and compared laboratory results to the morphology of this cyanobacterium in situ. As expected, growth rates increased with temperature. In addition, a high carrying capacity at 32°C suggests that this cyanobacterium is able to form more dense blooms at high temperatures. Fragile trichomes and low growth rates were observed at 12°C. An increase in the growth rate related to temperature resulted in a decrease in trichome length, with shorter trichomes at 32°C. The same pattern was observed in wild populations of C. raciborskii in a tropical reservoir, where shorter trichomes were observed in warmer months, when biomass was highest. This species' high ability to adapt to different environmental conditions throughout the year (i.e., nutrients, temperature) may have provided it with an additional advantage to increase its perennial blooms, mainly in tropical regions.     

Growth,trichome size and akinete production of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (cyanobacteria) under different temperatures: Comparison of two strains isolated from the same pond

Coiled morphotype Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya et Subba Raju that forms a water bloom in a shallow pond in northern Taiwan exhibits a negative correlation between trichome size and temperature. To investigate how temperature influences the growth and trichome size of C. raciborskii, two C. raciborskii strains isolated from the pond in August and February were grown at three temperatures (18, 24 and 30°C). Both strains exhibited the lowest and highest specific growth rates at 18°C and 24°C, respectively, and the trichomes became the largest at 18°C. However, specific growth rates of the strain isolated in August exceeded those of the strain isolated in February, and the trichomes of the strain isolated in February were larger than those of the strain isolated in August regardless of temperature. Moreover, although both strains produced larger numbers of akinetes at higher temperatures, the strain isolated in August produced many more akinetes than did the other. These findings suggest that the two strains are not identical, leading to the conclusion that the C. raciborskii population in the pond consists of at least two ecotypes. Large trichome formation and akinete production are thought to be different types of countermeasure against cold of C. raciborskii, and the patterns of investment in developing these functions seemed to vary between the strains.     

Domination of invasive Nostocales (Cyanoprokaryota) at 52°N latitude

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides are increasingly widespread cyanobacterial species, considered invasive. However, they have never been found to dominate the phytoplankton in the northern part of the invaded area. The aim of our study was to expand the understanding of the invasion process in Nostocales, by answering the question which environmental conditions enabled the first ever noted bloom incident of C. raciborskii and S. aphanizomenoides in the northern part of their current occurrence ranges. We examined the population dynamics of the two invasive cyanobacteria and the abiotic conditions in which their blooms developed in a reservoir at 52°N. We also examined the phytoplankton community diversity and composition before and during the invasive species blooms. As shown by redundancy analysis, the competitive advantage of S. aphanizomenoides depended strongly on high water temperature and high concentration of phosphates, and was positively related to other summer conditions (low water transparency, high ammonium nitrogen concentration). C. raciborskii biomass was not related to temperature and phosphates, but we argue that high water temperature in the first half of July enabled abundant akinete germination, and pulsed phosphorus availability synergized to bring about a later bloom. Both the invasive species co‐occurred with the native cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon gracile, but C. raciborskii bloomed after the native species domination period. The results of the study corroborate the high competitiveness of S. aphanizomenoides in hot, nutrient‐rich conditions, and the adaptation of the invaders to the environment in the invaded regions, inter alia by the overwintering mechanism of numerous akinete differentiation. Our results also contradict the assumption that the phytoplankton diversity index would decrease after colonization of freshwater bodies by invasive cyanoprokaryotes.     

The role of nitrogen in promoting the toxic cyanophyte Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in a subtropical water reservoir

1. The relative contribution of dissolved and atmospheric nitrogen to promoting dominance of the toxic nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacterium, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii was examined in a subtropical water reservoir, North Pine Reservoir. 2. A combination of process studies in situ and analysis of historical water quality data suggests that nitrogen fixation was not the principal mechanism for acquiring nitrogen and unlikely to be the mechanism whereby C. raciborskii gains a competitive advantage. Ammonium was the preferred nitrogen source, followed by nitrate then nitrogen fixation. 3. Ammonium uptake rates in the euphotic zone were higher in the summer and autumn months compared with winter and spring coinciding with lower ammonium concentrations. Nitrate uptake rates did not appear to vary seasonally and were lower than those for ammonium in the summer, but similar in winter. Nitrate concentrations were higher in winter than summer and generally higher than ammonium concentrations. 4. Ammonium and nitrate uptake rates were similar at light intensities between 10% and 100% of surface light, contrasting with primary productivity which peaked between about 10 to 20% of surface light. Thus the phytoplankton population was adapted to low light conditions but remained able to utilise dissolved inorganic nitrogen over a wide range of light conditions. 5. The ammonium pool in the surface waters was relatively small compared with the phytoplankton uptake rates, and ammonium must therefore be rapidly recycled through the food web over periods of less than 1 h. Short‐term depletion may result, during which time the higher concentrations of nitrate are likely to provide a supplementary supply of nitrogen. 6. The dominance of C. raciborskii in this reservoir is more likely to be due to a superior ability to scavenge and store the low concentrations of phosphate, and a superior adaptation to the low light conditions exacerbated by artificial mixing.     

PULSES OF PHOSPHATE PROMOTE DOMINANCE OF THE TOXIC CYANOPHYTE CYLINDROSPERMOPSIS RACIBORSKII IN A SUBTROPICAL WATER RESERVOIR1

The role of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) in promoting dominance of the toxic nitrogen (N)‐fixing cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Wo?osz.) Seenayya et Subba Raju was examined in a subtropical water reservoir, Lake Samsonvale (=North Pine reservoir). A novel in situ bioassay approach, using dialysis tubing rather than bottles or bags, was used to determine the change in C. raciborskii dominance with daily additions of DIP. A statistically significant increase in dominance of C. raciborskii was observed when DIP was added at two concentrations (0.32 μM and 16 μM) in a daily pulse over a 4 d period in three separate experiments in the summer of 2006/2007. There was an increase in both C. raciborskii cell concentrations and biovolume in two DIP treatments, but not in the ammoniacal N + DIP treatment. In addition, overall phytoplankton cell concentrations increased with DIP addition, indicating that Lake Samsonvale was DIP limited at the time of experiments. Given the bioassay response, it is likely that dominance of C. raciborskii could increase in Lake Samsonvale with periodic injections of DIP such as inflow events.     

Importance of interspecific competition in the abundance of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (Cyanophyceae)

The population dynamics of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae var. klebahnii Elenk. (Cyanophyceae) was studied in an artificial pond for 32 months from May 2002 to December 2004. Our previous in vitro study showed that the lower limits of water temperature and pH for its growth are within the ranges of 11°–14°C and 7.1–7.4, respectively, and it appeared that these findings are applicable to the emergence and disappearance of Ap. flos-aquae in the pond. Based on the change in the water temperature, the emergence of Ap. flos-aquae in 2004 was expected to be in late April, whereas emergence occurred after a 1-month lag period. During this period, Ankistrodesmus falcatus (Corda) Ralfs (Chlorophyceae) dominated the phytoplankton assemblage, which raised the possibility that the growth of Ap. flos-aquae was restricted by the existence of An. falcatus. We conducted mixed cultures of Ap. flos-aquae and An. falcatus at four temperatures (14°, 19°, 24°, and 29°C). After 18 days of incubation, An. falcatus dominated at 14° and 29°C whereas Ap. flos-aquae dominated at 19°C. This result indicates that a slightly higher water temperature than the growth threshold value is needed for Ap. flosaquae to outcompete An. falcatus, which agrees with the field observation. Contrary to the results of the mixed culture, the summer phytoplankton assemblage was dominated by Ap. flos-aquae, and the population of An. falcatus was less or almost absent. This variation seemed to be partly caused by the difference in nutrient conditions; concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus in the pond were far lower than those in the culture medium. The lack of nitrogen fixation of An. falcatus seemed to be a growth disadvantage during the summer when the concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen was low.     

Application of real-time PCR in the assessment of the toxic cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii</Emphasis> abundance and toxicological potential

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms that pose a serious threat to aquatic environments because they are able to form blooms under eutrophic conditions and produce toxins. Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a planktonic heterocystous filamentous cyanobacterium initially assigned to the tropics but currently being found in more temperate regions such as Portugal, the southernmost record for this species in Europe. Cylindrospermopsin originally isolated from C. raciborskii is a cytotoxic alkaloid that affects the liver, kidney, and other organs. It has a great environmental impact associated with cattle mortality and human morbidity. Aiming in monitoring this cyanobacterium and its related toxin, a shallow pond located in the littoral center of Portugal, Vela Lake, used for agriculture and recreational purposes was monitored for a 2-year period. To accomplish this, we used the real-time PCR methodology in field samples to quantify the variation of specific genetic markers with primers previously described characterizing total cyanobacteria (16S rRNA), C. raciborskii (rpoC1), and cylindrospermopsin synthetase gene (pks). The results report the high abundance of both cyanobacteria and C. raciborskii in Vela Lake, with C. raciborskii representing 0.4% to 58% of the total cyanobacteria population. Cylindrospermopsin synthetase gene was detected in one of the samples. We believe that with the approach developed in this study, it will be possible to monitor C. raciborskii population dynamics and seasonal variation, as well as the potential toxin production in other aquatic environments.     

Growth and phosphate uptake kinetics of the cyanobacterium,Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Cyanophyceae) in throughflow cultures

• 1 Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii occupies a rapidly expanding geographical area. Its invasive success challenges eutrophication control in many lakes. To understand better the load‐dependent behaviour of this nitrogen fixing cyanobacterium under in situ conditions, we studied P‐dependent growth of a C. raciborskii strain under continuous and pulsed P supply.
• 2 The Droop model reasonably described P‐dependent growth in the continuously supplied chemostats. Large P pulses, however, caused a delay in growth and cells subject to P pulses grew slower than their counterparts with the same P quota supplied continuously.
• 3 The kinetics of P uptake indicated that C. raciborskii is opportunistic with respect to P. Its high excess P storage capacity after a saturating P pulse (Q_ex=95 µg P [mg C]^‐1) and P‐specific uptake capacity (U_max = V_max/Q_P=150–1200) are indicative of storage adaptation. At the same time, the affinity of the P uptake system (U_max/K = 800–4000) is also high.
• 4 Rate of leakage exceeded that of the steady state net P uptake by one to two orders of magnitude. Growth affinity of C. raciborskii (µ_max/K_µ≈ 20) was relatively low, presumably due to the substantial leakage.
• 5 The dynamics of the particular water body determine which trait contributes most to competitive success of C. raciborskii. In deep lakes with vertical nutrient gradients, the cyanobacterium may rely primarily on its high P storage capacity, which is coupled to a lack of short‐term feedback inhibition and efficient buoyancy regulation. In lakes without such gradients, high P uptake affinity may be vitally important.

     

Recent invader or indicator of environmental change? A phylogenetic and ecological study of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in New Zealand

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a diazotrophic and potentially toxic cyanobacterium that was initially thought to be confined to tropical freshwaters. Recently it appears to have expanded its range to more temperate regions of the globe. There are contrasting hypotheses to explain this spread including; dispersal of highly adapted strains or localised spread from warm refuges as climatic or environmental conditions change. C. raciborskii was first detected in the isolated island nation of New Zealand in 2003, providing a unique opportunity to explore whether this recent identification is due to a new incursion or resultant from climatic or environmental change. Phylogenetic analysis (nifH, ITS1-L, ITS1-S, and rpoC1) of six strains isolated from two New Zealand lakes showed they were most closely related to those from South America, and suggest that the recent detection of this species was not due to a new incursion. Ten years of environmental data from three lakes (Waaki, Waikare and Whangape) experiencing blooms were analysed to identify potential reasons for recent C. raciborskii blooms. This analysis showed that the relatively recent (within the last 20–30 years) collapses of extensive macrophyte stands in lakes Waaki, Waikare and Whangape have resulted in increased turbidity’, low water column dissolved reactive phosphorus and seasonal shifts in the dissolved inorganic nitrogen availability, all conditions known to facilitate C. raciborskii dominance. Collectively these data indicate that C. raciborskii has always been present in New Zealand, and that recent changes in environmental conditions in these lakes are now facilitating bloom events.     

Spatial and seasonal shifts in bloom‐forming cyanobacteria in Lake Chaohu: Patterns and driving factors

The patterns of spatial and temporal shifts in bloom‐forming cyanobacteria and the driving factors for these patterns were determined by analyzing the distribution of these cyanobacteria in Lake Chaohu using data from satellite images and field samples collected during 2012 and 2013. The cyanobacterial blooms primarily occupied the western region of Lake Chaohu, and the direction and speed of the prevailing wind determined the spatial distribution of these blooms. The cyanobacteria in Lake Chaohu were dominated by species of Microcystis and Anabaena. Microcystis reached its peak in June, and Anabaena had peaks in May and November, with an overall biomass that was higher than that of Microcystis. Microcystis generally occupied the western region of the lake in summer, whereas Anabaena dominated in other regions and seasons. Temperature may be responsible for these seasonal shifts. However, total phosphorus (TP), pH, temperature, turbidity and nitrate/nitrite nitrogen determined the coexistence of the two genera in different regions in summer. TP was correlated with Microcystis dominance, and pH and light availability were correlated with Anabaena dominance. Our results contribute to the understanding of shifts in bloom‐forming cyanobacteria and are important for the control of cyanobacterial blooms.     

Variations in carbon-to-phosphorus ratios of two Australian strains of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

The toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii can form large blooms in freshwater systems, causing water quality problems. The availability of the essential macronutrient phosphorus (P), has a big impact on bloom formation but the variation in physiological response of different strains of C. raciborskii to available P has not previously been examined. This study investigated the carbon:phosphorus (C:P) ratio of two toxic Australian strains of C. raciborskii, AWT205 and NPD, under a range of P concentrations in batch and continuous cultures. P was added as a single dose to batch cultures and in continuous cultures at P concentrations of 0.032, 0.16, 0.64 and 16 μmol P l^?1. Cellular carbon and phosphorus content of both strains increased under P-limited conditions (0 μmol P l^?1 addition) with zero growth. Strain NPD had a lower C:P ratio (34:1) than AWT205 (150:1) indicating higher P storage capacity, and strain NPD survived P-limited conditions for longer. There was no significant difference in exponential growth rates (0.2 d^?1, P ≥ 0.5) under all P concentrations for both strains, with the exception of no P, demonstrating non-P-limited growth even at the lowest concentration (0.032 µmol P l^?1) and no increase in growth rate with additional P. ³³P uptake measurements were used to show that these strains both have very low half saturation constants (K_s = 0.02 μmol P l^?1) compared with other phytoplankton and strains of C. raciborskii. This is indicative of high uptake affinities and suggests that these strains are highly adapted to a low P supply. Overall the results of this study are consistent with the P strategy of storage prioritization over growth rate, and demonstrate differences between the strains in the C:P ratio under P-limitation, indicating variation in P storage.     

Effects of fish and nutrient additions on food-web stability in a charophyte-dominated lake

1. The response of major food‐web constituents to combinations of nutrient addition and zooplanktivorous fish abundance was tested during two subsequent years in the shallow charophyte‐dominated lake Naardermeer in the Netherlands, using in situ enclosures. 2. Treatment effects differed sharply between study years. In 1998, when the summer temperature was low (17–21 °C), high algal biomass only developed at high nutrient levels in the presence of fish, but with no major effect on Chara biomass. In 1999, when the summer temperature was relatively high (20–25 °C), algal blooms occurred at high nutrient levels regardless of fish abundance, and were associated with a drastic decline in Chara biomass. 3. Differences between years in temperature and initial zooplankton composition and biomass were likely to contribute to the varying relative importance of top‐down and bottom‐up effects in these enclosure experiments. 4. The results suggest that when nutrient loads are increased towards levels where the macrophyte‐dominated state is being destabilised, a ‘switch’ is more likely to occur in warm summers.     

SEASONAL VARIATION OF P CONTENT AND MAJOR N POOLS IN PALMARIA PALMATA (RHODOPHYTA)1

The annual variation of major nitrogen pools, phosphorus, carbon, ash, and thallus water content in relation to seasonal environmental changes was studied in two northern Spanish populations of the edible seaweed Palmaria palmata (Linnaeus) Kuntze. Observed patterns were investigated using Spearman rank order correlation coefficients. There were significant relationships between thallus nutrient content and nitrate and orthophosphate seawater concentration, irradiance, temperature, and wave force. The highest levels of total N and P and nitrogenous compounds were observed during autumn and winter because the thallus stored N‐ and P‐rich compounds in response to high nutrient seawater concentration when growth was limited by low light and temperature. Phycoerythrin and other proteins were the main N reserves. Thallus P content was higher in algae from the eutrophic site. During spring, reduced N and P thallus content and increased ash, water, and C content were observed in the growing fronds. N and P seawater concentrations were undetectable during summer when nutrient reserves were low and growth was reduced and eventually suppressed, suggesting nutrient limiting conditions. Palmaria palmata clearly could take advantage of elevated N and P concentrations to create storage reserves in winter to support early summer growth. This storage response reduced the dependence of algal nutrition on the external nutrient supply and supports the use of pulse fertilization to diminish summer nutrient limitation of cultured algae.     

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii Virus and host: genomic characterization and ecological relevance

Cylindrospermopsis (Raphidiopsis) raciborskii is an invasive, filamentous, nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium that forms frequent blooms in freshwater habitats. While viruses play key roles in regulating the abundance, production and diversity of their hosts in aquatic ecosystems, the role(s) of viruses in the ecology of C. raciborskii is almost unexplored. Progress in this field has been hindered by the absence of a characterized virus–host system in C. raciborskii. To bridge this gap, we sequenced the genome of CrV-01T, a previously isolated cyanosiphovirus, and its host, C. raciborskii strain Cr2010. Analyses suggest that CrV-01T represents a distinct clade of siphoviruses infecting, and perhaps lysogenizing, filamentous cyanobacteria. Its genome contains unique features that include an intact CRISPR array and a 12 kb inverted duplication. Evidence suggests CrV-01T recently gained the ability to infect Cr2010 and recently lost the ability to form lysogens. The cyanobacterial host contains a CRISPR-Cas system with CRISPR spacers matching protospacers within the inverted duplication of the CrV-01T genome. Examination of metagenomes demonstrates that viruses with high genetic identity to CrV-01T, but lacking the inverted duplication, are present in C. raciborskii blooms in Australia. The unique genomic features of the CrV/Cr2010 system offers opportunities to investigate in more detail virus–host interactions in an ecologically important bloom-forming cyanobacterium.     

Evidence of the existence of a toxic form of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Nostocales,Cyanobacteria) in Japan

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is a common, bloom‐forming, planktonic, freshwater cyanobacterium. Toxic populations producing cylindrospermopsin can cause water‐safety problems. Although C. raciborskii is distributed worldwide, the presence of cylindrospermopsin‐producing strains of C. raciborskii was initially reported only in Australia and recently in Thailand. Here, we report the isolation of a toxic strain of C. raciborskii (ISG9) from a freshwater sample collected in Okinawa in 2008. This is the first report describing toxin expression in this species in Japan, detected from a subtropical area. The C. raciborskii species is known to produce cylindrospermopsin as a dominant toxin; however, in this new isolate, the dominant toxin expressed was deoxy‐cylindrospermopsin. The discovery of a toxic strain of C. raciborskii in southern Japan emphasizes the need for basic monitoring schemes for this species in water supplies located in the temperate regions of Japan because of its possible expansion and distribution to other geographic areas.     

Limnology of a Sewage Polluted Tank in Central India

The limnology of a sewage polluted pond was studied from 1978 to 1981. Stratification of temperature, dissolved, oxygen, conductivity, pH, alkalinity and chloride was recorded. The surface stratum down to 0.5 m was supersaturated throughout the year. The pond recorded a permanent water bloom dominated by Anacystis during the summer months. This was followed by Anabaena and Anabaenopsis during winter. The growth of Chlorococcales was retarded due to intraspecific competition, self-shading and low carbon dioxide levels though the waters were nutrient rich. Before the summer overturn, accumulation of calcium bicarbonate produced temporal meromixis. In general, a reduction in the number of zooplankters was recorded.     

Development of blooms of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclotella meneghiniana</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nitzschia</Emphasis> spp. (Bacillariophyceae) in a shallow river and estimation of effective suppression flows

Diatom blooms in the middle reaches of the shallow, freshwater, Hunter River, Australia, are a frequent nuisance to river users. During a 4-year study, blooms of Cyclotella meneghiniana and Nitzschia spp. coincided with water temperatures above 23°C and flows below 400 Ml d⁻¹ that lasted for more than 12 days. Redundancy analysis showed that water temperature was positively related, and antecedent flow was negatively related, to the abundance of both taxa. Addition experiments indicated that nutrients are seldom limiting to growth. It is suggested that a combination of faster growth rates at higher temperatures and longer retention times at low flows allows bloom populations to develop. Simulation modelling showed that flow regulation and water extraction have decreased flows in the river during summer, and consequently have probably increased the number of diatom blooms. Environmental flows have been provided to the river, but are not sufficient to prevent blooms. Discharges required for bloom suppression are described.     

Climate change affects timing and size of populations of an invasive cyanobacterium in temperate regions

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, an invasive freshwater cyanobacterium, originated from the tropics but has spread to temperate zones over the last few decades. Its northernmost populations in Europe occur in North German lakes. How such dramatic changes in its biogeography are possible and how its population dynamics in the newly invaded habitats are regulated are still unexplained. We therefore conducted a long-term (1993–2005) study of two German lakes to elucidate the mechanisms behind C. raciborskii population dynamics and to identify the abiotic constraints on its development. Our data revealed that pelagic populations of C. raciborskii thrived for three months during the summer, contributing up to 23% of the total cyanobacteria biovolume. Population sizes varied greatly between years without exhibiting any distinct long-term trends. In the annual lifecycle, C. raciborskii filaments emerged in the pelagic habitat when the temperature rose above 15–17 °C. At that time, mean photosynthetically active radiation in the mixed water column (I _mix) overstepped its maximum. Rates of population net increase were highest at the beginning of the season (0.15–0.28 day⁻¹), declined continuously over time, and were significantly positively correlated with I _mix. This indicates that the onset of the pelagic population is temperature-mediated and that I _mix controls its growth. Since I _mix peaks before the population onset, the time of germination is of crucial importance for successful development. To test this hypothesis, we designed a model to simulate pelagic population size, starting at different dates in the annual cycle. Moving the population onset forward by 30 days resulted in a doubling of the population size. We therefore conclude that an earlier rise in water temperature associated with climate change has promoted the spread of C. raciborskii to the temperate zone. Earlier warming permits earlier germination, thereby shifting the pelagic populations to a phase with higher I _mix, which advances growth and the population establishment.     

CYLINDROSPERMOPSIS RACIBORSKII (CYANOBACTERIA) INVASION AT MID‐LATITUDES: SELECTION,WIDE PHYSIOLOGICAL TOLERANCE,ORGLOBALWARMING?1

The tropical bloom‐forming cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenaya et Subba Raju is causing increasing concern because of its potential toxicity and invasive behavior at mid‐latitudes. This species has recently been identified in several temperate areas and was first reported in France in 1994, but the mechanisms underlying this acclimation process remain to be elucidated. We performed a range of laboratory experiments in an attempt to identify the physiological characteristics that could account for this behavior. We investigated the three following hypotheses: 1) clones of C. raciborskii adapted to temperate climate have been selected as it advanced north, 2) C. raciborskii has high physiological tolerance that allows it to prosper in a wide range of conditions, and 3) changes inclimate (global warming) have favored the development of C. raciborskii in mid‐latitudes. Ten strains of C. raciborskii from Australia n=1), Brazil (2), France (2), Germany (1), Hungary (1), Mexico (1), and Senegal (2) were cultured at different temperatures and light intensities. The in vitro growth parameters (μ and T_opt) were the same for the tropical and temperate strains. All 10 strains displayed positive net growth in a wide range of temperatures (from 20 to 35°C) and light intensities (from 30 to 400 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1), with maximum growth rates at around 30°C and 80 μmol photons·m^?2·s^?1. This suggests that the colonization of mid‐latitudes by C. raciborskii may result from a combination of its ability to tolerate a rather wide range of climatic conditions and the global warming phenomenon, which provides this species with better environmental conditions for its growth.