Partial 16S rRNA gene sequences of seven cyanophycean strains from the National Instiute of Environmental Research of Korea - Microcystis aeruginosa, M. aeruginosa f. aeruginosa, M. ichthyoblade, M. viridis, Anabaena flos-aquae, and Oscillatoria sancta - were analyzed and the phylogenetic relationship of Microcystis among Cyanophyceae were evaluated. Based on sequence analysis results, Microcystis is monophyletic, the clade of which supported 100% bootstrap tress, and distinguished clearly from the other taxa. Therefore, the partial 16S rRNA gene sequences can be a useful and efficient tool for distinguishing Microcystis from other cyanophycean without axenic culture or cloning.