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Spatial Distribution of Cyanobacteria and Algae from the Tombstone in a Historic Cemetery in Bratislava, Slovakia

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Spatial Distribution of Cyanobacteria and Algae from the Tombstone in a Historic Cemetery in Bratislava, Slovakia Fottea 9(1): 81–92, 2008 81 Spatial distribution of cyanobacteria and algae from the tombstone in a historic cemetery in Bratislava, Slovakia Bohuslav UHER Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Kotlářská 2, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: This study focuses on species composition and spatial distribution of cyanobacterial and algal communities colonizing the surface of the tombstone. Ecological and taxonomical data were used for evaluation of changes in their vertical distribution. A total of 25 taxa were identified, 13 of them belonging to chlorophytes, 12 to other groups of algae and cyanobacteria; in addition four mosses and one liverwort occurred at 17 sampling sites. Three species, Klebsormidium crenulatum, Desmococcus olivaceus and Stichococcus bacillaris, were found as the most abundant taxa. The aeroplanctonic species Desmococcus olivaceus, Stichococcus bacillaris and Klebsormidium crenulatum were detected from the air-fall. Investigated microhabitats offer relatively stabile microclimatic conditions and, likely, they are responsible for the observed vertical distribution of cyanobacteria and algae. Humidity was the main microclimatic factor influencing diversity, distribution and abundance of algae on investigated terrestrial substrate. Key words: cyanobacteria, algae, urban habitats, biodeterioration, stone, Bratislava, Slovakia Introduction and fissures or beneath crusts, where water is retained, and often form rather apparent green o l u b i ć OHANSEN Paraphrasing a classic definition of soil (KR U MBEIN biofilms (G et al. 1981, J et al. et al. 1992), stone monuments may be defined as 1983, CHARA ck LIS 1984, JOHN 1988, ALBERTANO the place where art and (micro)biology encounter & GRILLI CAIOLA 1989, DANIN & CANEVA 1990, each other. The biodeterioration of stones is PENTE C OST 1992, ARIÑO et al. 1997, ASEN C IO & a phenomenon that has gained wide interest ABOAL 2000, LAMENTI et al. 2000, ALBERTANO & ELLEZZA O D YOVÁ IN D I (URZI & KR U MBEIN 1994). Surfaces of minerals B 2001, G et al. 2003, R & provide substrate for a large group of different GU IRY 2003, UHER et al. 2005). microorganisms (KR U MBEIN & URZI 1992). On This study reports the most common species stone monuments, most organisms occur on the of cyanobacteria and algae growing on the surface surface and their growth results in formation of of a tombstone and tomb covers dating from 1956 more or less thick biofilms that originate from at the historic cemetery of Pressburg Evangelicals the air-borne cells and spores. The presence of „Kozia brána“ in the centre of Bratislava city. different species on substrates, which have been The ecological and taxonomic data were used for thus transformed, is indicative of the undergoing evaluation of changes in the vertical distribution biodeterioration processes (URZI & KR U MBEIN of individual species. 1994). Therefore, the knowledge of the biology of lithobionts is the basis for understanding the adaptation of microorganisms to such extreme Materials and methods environments, and it allows us to predict the Samples were collected monthly in 2002 on the potential biodeterioration risks in the substrate. transect from the top part of the sculpture to the bottom Within microbial communities, algae and part (near the soil surface) of the gravestones allowing cyanobacteria are primary producers due to the detailed study of the vertical distribution of algal their phototrophic nutrition and low nutrient assemblages on this man-made monument (“Mother requirements. They grow on cornices, in holes with two daughters”) (Figs 24–27). The sampling 82 UHER : Spatial distribution of cyanobacteria and algae sites were shaded by trees and protected against wind species were widespread and they occupied by cementery walls; relative humidity was high (80- a large range of microhabitats. The bottom zones 98%) measured (1 meter above the soil surface) using (F), covered by mosses, were more favourable a thermo-hygrometer (Mütec Instruments GmbH, for algal growth due to their protection against Germany) and wind turbulences were not observed. Six desiccation by wind. Bryophytes and liverworts vertical zones from the top to the base were distinquised (A–E on sculpture; F on tomb covers) (Figs 24–27). such as Rhynchostegium murale (HE D W .) BR uc H et Samples from 17 permanent sites were studied in both SC HIM P . in BSG, Eurynchium hians (HE D W .) SAN D E natural and cultured material using LM (Olympus BX Lac. and Lunularia cruciata (L.) DU MORT . ex 50). The scrapped samples were aseptically inoculated LIN D B . offered varied mosaic of microhabitats for on agar or to liquid medium in tubes and Petri dishes. algal colonization. In assemblages associated with The following culture media were used: BG11 (RI ppk A mosses, the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya fragilis I ppk A MITH et al. 1979), BG110 (R 1988) and BBM (S & and alga Cosmarium parvulum var. undulatum BOL D 1966). Unialgal strains were used for a detailed were identified. This desmid is mostly incorrectly study of morphological variation, reproduction and identified as Actinotaenium (NÄ G ELI ) TEILIN G ontogenesis to confirm identification of species. For species and has not been recorded from hemi- the capturing of aeroplanktonic species, agarized slides placed on the sampling sites were used. atmophytic environments (Frans Kouwets, pers. Cyanobacteria and algae were identified comm.). Within assemblages from sites without according to the following literature: GEITLER (1932), mosses (site 17), mainly cyanobacteria adapted DESI K A C HARY (1959), GROOVER & BOL D (1969), ETTL to desiccation due to presence of mucilagenous (1978), KOMÁRE K & FOTT (1983), HO ff MANN (1986), sheaths were found. HIN D Á K (1990), LO K HORST (1992, 1996), ETTL & Some interesting and unknown species GÄRTNER (1995), KOMÁRE K & ANA G NOSTI D IS (1998, or species with unclear taxonomy, such as 2005). Heteroleibleinia pusilla, Heterococcus sp., Theleasphaera alpina and Trebouxia arboricola, were found during the study. Results Heteroleibleinia pusilla (HANS G .) COM P ÈRE (Fig. 3) In total, 25 subaerial algae were identified: Although H. pusilla was previously recorded from eight species of Cyanobacteria, four species of swamps and ponds with submerged vegetation Heterokontophyta and 13 Chlorophyta (see Table (KOMÁRE K & ANA G NOSTI D IS 2005), narrow 1). They were found on 17 sampling places. Three filaments (1.5 μm wide) were found growing species, Klebsormidium crenulatum, Desmococcus aerophytically on mosses. Filaments of this species olivaceus and Stichococcus bacillaris, represented were attached by one end to the substrate during more abundant taxa than other representatives the entire life cycle. This feature could easily be associated with specific microenvironments. overlooked, therefore similar specimens were Only three aeroplanktonic species including previously incorrectly identified as other subaerial Desmococcus olivaceus, Stichococcus bacillaris cyanobacteria, such as Leptolyngbya (investigated and Klebsormidium crenulatum were captured mostly in cultures). The genus Heteroleibleinia using agarized slides. (GEITLER ) L. HO ff MANN was mostly classified as a Six vertical zones (A, B, C, D, E and F section of Lyngbya. zone; Fig. 24–27) were a priori delimited. In general, the algal species richness was the lowest Heterococcus sp. (Fig. 22) on the top of sculpture (zones A–C, 6 species, see Mature representatives were stellate, separate, Table 1) and the highest on the bottom (16 species composed of an extensive caespitose system, in zone F, Table 1, Figs 24–27). Zones exposed radially arranged, ramified, prostrate branches to desiccation (A–C and E) were dominated by projecting from a small compact central disc. green algae Chlorella kessleri, Desmococcus Plants were not easily disintegrating; branched, olivaceus and Klebsromidium crenulatum or primary filaments were open and often tenuous. K. flaccidum, which were accompanied by Zoosporogenesis or aplanosporogenesis was Stichococcus bacillaris, Coccomyxa confluens not observed. Cell length ranged from 4 to 25; and Trebouxia arboricola. However, in zone cell width ranged from (3)4 to 5(6) μm. The D with higher relative air humidity, the species above mentioned data confirmed the variability richness was two times higher (13 taxa). Some of morphometric characters of this species Fottea 9(1): 81–92, 2008 83 Figs 1–6. Cyanobacteria/cyanophytes: (1) Aphanothece stagnina [(a) initial stages, (b) young colonies, (c) adult colonies]; (2) Chroococcus varius [(a) initial stages, (b) three-celled stages, (c) young colonies, (d) adult colony]; (3) Heteroleibleinia pusilla: trichomes attached on the surface of moss leaves; (4) Leptolyngbya fragilis [(a) filaments with rounded or globular apical cells, (b) false branching filaments, (c) hormogonium, (e) twisted filament]; (5) Microcoleus vaginatus [(a) young colony, (b) colony of trichomes in common sheats]; (6) Nostoc microscopicum [(a) initial stages with heterocyte, (b) hormogonia, (c) young subspherical colonies, (d, e) adult colony, (f) ruptured old colony]. Scale bar 10 mm. 84 UHER : Spatial distribution of cyanobacteria and algae Figs 7–8. Cyanobacteria/cyanophytes: (7) Phormidium autumnale [(a) apical parts of trichomes, (b) hormogonia, (c, e) trichomes, (d) fragmentation by necridic cells]; (8) Phormidium corium [(a) filaments, (b) fragmentation by necridic cells]; Figs. –9 12. Chlorophytes: (9) Chlorella fusca
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