DOCSLIB.ORG

Observations on Aerophytic Cyanobacteria and Algae from Ten Caves in the Ojców National Park

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Observations on Aerophytic Cyanobacteria and Algae from Ten Caves in the Ojców National Park ACTA AGROBOTANICA Vol. 66 (1), 2013: 39–52 DOI: 10.5586/aa.2013.005 OBSERVATIONS ON AEROPHYTIC CYANOBACTERIA AND ALGAE FROM TEN CAVES IN THE OJCÓW NATIONAL PARK Joanna Czerwik-Marcinkowska Department of Botany, Institute of Biology, Jan Kochanowski University Świętokrzyska 15, 25-420 Kielce, Poland e-mail: marcinko@kielce.com.pl Received: 19.04.2012 Abstract Hašler, 2007). At the entrance of limestone caves This study, carried out in 2010–11, focuses on species and on the surfaces around electrical lights, cyanobac- composition and distribution of cyanobacterial and algal com- teria compete for light with other algae, bryophytes munities colonizing ten caves (Biała, Ciemna, Koziarnia, Kra- and ferns, but in the deepest recesses of the caves they kowska, Łokietka, Okopy Wielka Dolna, Sąspowska, Sypialnia, are usually the only phototrophs (Round, 1981). Zbójecka and Złodziejska Caves) in the Ojców National Park Most caves represent stable environments characte- (South Poland). A total of 85 taxa were identified, 35 of them rized by uniform temperatures throughout the year, belonging to cyanobacteria, 30 chlorophytes, and 20 belonging high humidity and low natural light (Hernández- to other groups of algae. Aerophytic cyanobacteria dominated -Mariné and Canals, 1994; Ducarme et al. in these calcareous habitats. Nine species, Gloeocapsa alpina, 2004; Poulič ková and Hašler, 2007; Lam- Nostoc commune, Chlorella vulgaris, Dilabifilum arthopyre- niae, Klebsormidium flaccidum, Muriella decolor, Neocystis prinou et al. 2009). According to Lamprinou et subglobosa, and Orthoseira roseana, were the most abundant al. (2012), a typical cave is described as having three taxa in all the caves. The investigated microhabitats offer re- major habitat zones based on light penetration and in- latively stable microclimatic conditions and are likely to be tensity: the entrance-, transition-, and dim light zone. responsible for the observed vertical distribution of aerophytic Moreover, cave characteristics, such as dimensions, cyanobacteria and algae. morphology, location, orientation and rocky substra- te, can play an important role for the biocommuni- Key words: algae, cyanobacteria, caves, Ojców National ty structure. All caves belong to habitats of extreme Park, Poland. conditions characterized by a low content of nutrients (Pedersen, 2000; Mulec et al. 2008). However, many groups of organisms prefer such conditions for INTRODUCTION the colonization and growth. The following occur most Caves are unique in terms of specific natural frequently in caves: liverworts, mosses, some ferns, characteristics such as: microclimate, temperature, hu- flowering plants, algae and cyanobacteria (Dobat, midity and others. According to Mulec and Kosi 1970; Kuehn et al. 1992; Sanchez et al. 2002; (2009), caves have a special place in human history and Mulec, 2005; Mulec et al. 2008; Mulec and many caves are inscribed on the United Nations Edu- Kosi, 2009). Algae often play a key role in the food cational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNE- webs and in the colonization processes of rocky ha- SCO) World Heritage List. Recently, many caves have bitats (sediments, rocky surfaces, artificial material) experienced intensified tourist visits and to make them as well as they produce colourful effects on the caves more attractive for visitors, artificial illumination was walls (Golubič , 1967). These processes are favo- installed which changed physico-chemical conditions ured by usually stable environmental conditions preva- in the caves. However, most caves, at least in Euro- iling in caves. All these factors make caves attractive pe, are damp and the walls at the entrance are covered for cosmopolitan species, which consequently elimi- with green algal gelatinous mass (Poulič ková and nate the native components (Pipan, 2005). Although 40 Joanna Czerwik-Marcinkowska infrequently, but new algal species have also been caves (Łokietka and Ciemna) open to tourists, samples identified in caves (Jones, 1964; Hernandéz- were also collected from around artificial light sources, -Mariné and Canals, 1994). Aerophytic algae at different distances from the source, and from sites and cyanobacteria are usually observed in cave en- of most intensive growth. Scraped material was used trances illuminated by direct or indirect sunlight and directly for observation under the light microscope. also around the artificial light in caves that are open to Two sampling zones were distinguished in each cave: tourists (Pentecost, 1992; Mulec, 2005; M u - A – light zone, comprising the entrance (usually lit lec et al. 2008; Czerwik-Marcinkowska and by sunlight and well-oxygenated); and B – dark zone Mroziń ska, 2011). comprising the chambers illuminated only by weak na- In Poland algological studies in caves have been tural daylight or artificial light. carried out by the following researchers: Starmach Collected organisms were cultured on standard (1963); Mroziń ska-Broda and Czerwik- Bristol agar medium, at 20oC under a 12/12h light/dark -Marcinkowska, (2004); Czerwik-Marcin- cycle at 3000 μEm-2 s-1 provided by 40W fluorescent kowska and Mroziń ska, (2008, 2009, 2010, tubes. For transmission electron microscopy (TEM), 2011). cells were fixed as previously described (Massalski The aim of this study was to present the spa- et al. 1995). Ultra-thin sections were cut with glass tial distribution of aerophytic algae and cyanobacte- knives on a Reichert-Jung ultramicrotome. Observa- ria growing in ten caves in the Ojców National Park tions and photographs were made with a TESLA BS differing in location, morphology and environmental 500 electron microscope. Cells for TEM were double conditions as part of an extensive study of caves in the fixed with glutaraldehyde in phosphate buffer and po- Polish Jura. stosmicated with osmium tetroxide in the same buffer, then they were dehydrated in series of alcohols, embed- STUDY AREA ded in the synthetic epoxy resin “SPURR” and poly- merized at 70oC for 18 h. For scanning electron micro- The caves are one of the most characteristic scopy (SEM), the samples were treated with 36% HCl, elements of the Ojców National Park and its surro- washed several times with distilled water and boiled in undings. The presence of caves in this area has been concentrated H2O2 with KClO3 in order to remove or- noticed for a long time (Chardez and Delhez, ganic matter. Cyanobacteria and algae were identified 1981; Szelerewicz and Górny, 1986; Bisek according to: Anagnostidis and Komárek et al. 1992; Gradziń ski et al. 1995a, b, 1996, (1988); Brown and Bold (1964); Brown and 1998, 2007; Gradziń ski and Szelerewicz, Lean (1969); Etll and Gärtner (1988, 1995); 2004; Górny and Szelerewicz, 2008). These Hoffmann (1986, 2002); Komárek and Ana- caves were created by underground waters dissolving gnostidis (1986, 1989); Krammer and Lan- Jurassic marine limestones (Michalik and Party- ge-Bertalot (1986, 1991). k a , 1992). Some of the caves exceed 300 m in depth. Ten caves: Biała, Ciemna, Koziarnia, Krakowska, Ło- RESULTS kietka, Okopy Wielka Dolna, Sąspowska, Sypialnia, Zbójecka and Złodziejska Caves, were studied in the A total of 85 aerophytic algae and cyanobacte- Park (Fig. 1; Table 1). The most attractive caves from ria species were identified in the ten caves in the Oj- the natural and environmental point of view, having ców National Park (Fig. 2; Table 2). Overall, cyano- corridors longer than 50 m, include the following: Bia- bacteria were dominant and represented by 35 species ła, Ciemna, Koziarnia, Krakowska, Łokietka, Okopy (40% of the total), green algae 30 species (32.7%), and Wielka Dolna, Sąspowska and Zbójecka Caves (Par- 12 diatoms species (27.2%). The frequently encoun- tyka, 1997). Only the Łokietka and Ciemna Caves tered species among cyanobacteria were as follows: (among the studied ones) are open to tourists. Aphanocapsa parietina Näg., Calothrix fusca (Kutz.) Born. & Flah., Chroococcus tenax (Kirchn.) Hierony- MATERIALS AND METHODS mus and Nostoc commune Vauch. ex Born. & Flah. They occurred both in the light (A) and dark (B) zo- Samples for algological analysis were taken nes of the studied caves. Microscopic observations from the ten caves of the Ojców National Park in the revealed that cyanobacteria are arranged in patina as- spring, summer and autumn of 2010 and 2011. Algal semblages which are blue, brown, green, or gray, and crusts were scraped from the walls and ceiling, using are arranged mosaic-like inside the caves. Among the a scalpel, into labelled plastic bags and analysed under cyanobacteria present, the following were dominant a light microscope (Jenamed 2) or inoculated for cultu- only in the caves open for tourism, i.e. the Łokietka ring on agar plates (Figs 4–6). Additionally, in the two Cave and the Ciemna Cave: Gloeocapsa alpina (Näg.) Observations on aerophytic cyanobacteria and algae from ten caves in the Ojców National Park 41 F. Brand, Nodularia harveyana Thuret ex Born. & zone). There were also species found only in the pla- Flah. and Tolypothrix epilithica Näg. The most rare ces within direct sunlight: Chroococcus cf. ercegovi- green algae species were: Bracteococcus minor (Cho- cii Kom. & Anagn., Chlorogloea novacekii Kom. & dat) Petrová (Fig. 3), Desmococcus olivaceum (Pers. Montejano, Plectonema cf. puteale (Kirchn.) Hansg., ex Arch.) Laudon, Muriella decolor Vischer, Scotiel- Characium strictum A. Braun, Desmococcus oliva- lopsis terrestris (Reisigl) Punčochářová & Kalina and ceum (Pers. ex Arch.) Laudon and Keriochlamys styria-
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Phylogenetic Placement of Botryococcus Braunii (Trebouxiophyceae) and Botryococcus Sudeticus Isolate Utex 2629 (Chlorophyceae)1
    J. Phycol. 40, 412–423 (2004) r 2004 Phycological Society of America DOI: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.2004.03173.x PHYLOGENETIC PLACEMENT OF BOTRYOCOCCUS BRAUNII (TREBOUXIOPHYCEAE) AND BOTRYOCOCCUS SUDETICUS ISOLATE UTEX 2629 (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1 Hoda H. Senousy, Gordon W. Beakes, and Ethan Hack2 School of Biology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK The phylogenetic placement of four isolates of a potential source of renewable energy in the form of Botryococcus braunii Ku¨tzing and of Botryococcus hydrocarbon fuels (Metzger et al. 1991, Metzger and sudeticus Lemmermann isolate UTEX 2629 was Largeau 1999, Banerjee et al. 2002). The best known investigated using sequences of the nuclear small species is Botryococcus braunii Ku¨tzing. This organism subunit (18S) rRNA gene. The B. braunii isolates has a worldwide distribution in fresh and brackish represent the A (two isolates), B, and L chemical water and is occasionally found in salt water. Although races. One isolate of B. braunii (CCAP 807/1; A race) it grows relatively slowly, it sometimes forms massive has a group I intron at Escherichia coli position 1046 blooms (Metzger et al. 1991, Tyson 1995). Botryococcus and isolate UTEX 2629 has group I introns at E. coli braunii strains differ in the hydrocarbons that they positions 516 and 1512. The rRNA sequences were accumulate, and they have been classified into three aligned with 53 previously reported rRNA se- chemical races, called A, B, and L. Strains in the A race quences from members of the Chlorophyta, includ- accumulate alkadienes; strains in the B race accumulate ing one reported for B.
    [Show full text]
  • Altitudinal Zonation of Green Algae Biodiversity in the French Alps
    Altitudinal Zonation of Green Algae Biodiversity in the French Alps Adeline Stewart, Delphine Rioux, Fréderic Boyer, Ludovic Gielly, François Pompanon, Amélie Saillard, Wilfried Thuiller, Jean-Gabriel Valay, Eric Marechal, Eric Coissac To cite this version: Adeline Stewart, Delphine Rioux, Fréderic Boyer, Ludovic Gielly, François Pompanon, et al.. Altitu- dinal Zonation of Green Algae Biodiversity in the French Alps. Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers, 2021, 12, pp.679428. 10.3389/fpls.2021.679428. hal-03258608 HAL Id: hal-03258608 https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-03258608 Submitted on 11 Jun 2021 HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci- destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents entific research documents, whether they are pub- scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, lished or not. The documents may come from émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de teaching and research institutions in France or recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires abroad, or from public or private research centers. publics ou privés. fpls-12-679428 June 4, 2021 Time: 14:28 # 1 ORIGINAL RESEARCH published: 07 June 2021 doi: 10.3389/fpls.2021.679428 Altitudinal Zonation of Green Algae Biodiversity in the French Alps Adeline Stewart1,2,3, Delphine Rioux3, Fréderic Boyer3, Ludovic Gielly3, François Pompanon3, Amélie Saillard3, Wilfried Thuiller3, Jean-Gabriel Valay2, Eric Maréchal1* and Eric Coissac3* on behalf of The ORCHAMP Consortium 1 Laboratoire de Physiologie Cellulaire et Végétale, CEA, CNRS, INRAE, IRIG, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France, 2 Jardin du Lautaret, CNRS, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France, 3 Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, LECA, Grenoble, France Mountain environments are marked by an altitudinal zonation of habitat types.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparative Analyses of Chloroplast Genome Data Representing Nine Green Algae in Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta)
    Data in Brief 7 (2016) 558–570 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Data in Brief journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/dib Data article Comparative analyses of chloroplast genome data representing nine green algae in Sphaeropleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) Karolina Fučíková n, Louise A. Lewis, Paul O. Lewis Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA article info abstract Article history: The chloroplast genomes of green algae are highly variable in their Received 16 February 2016 architecture. In this article we summarize gene content across Received in revised form newly obtained and published chloroplast genomes in Chlor- 25 February 2016 ophyceae, including new data from nine of species in Sphaer- Accepted 1 March 2016 opleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta). We present genome Available online 9 March 2016 architecture information, including genome synteny analysis across two groups of species. Also, we provide a phylogenetic tree obtained from analysis of gene order data for species in Chlor- ophyceae with fully sequenced chloroplast genomes. Further analyses and interpretation of the data can be found in “Chlor- oplast phylogenomic data from the green algal order Sphaer- opleales (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) reveal complex patterns of sequence evolution” (Fučíková et al., In review) [1]. & 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Specifications Table Subject area Biology More specific sub- Phylogenomics ject area Type of data Table, Figures, text file, tree file DOI of original article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2016.01.022 n Corresponding author.
    [Show full text]
  • Airborne Microalgae: Insights, Opportunities, and Challenges
    crossmark MINIREVIEW Airborne Microalgae: Insights, Opportunities, and Challenges Sylvie V. M. Tesson,a,b Carsten Ambelas Skjøth,c Tina Šantl-Temkiv,d,e Jakob Löndahld Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Swedena; Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Swedenb; National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit, Institute of Science and the Environment, University of Worcester, Worcester, United Kingdomc; Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Swedend; Stellar Astrophysics Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmarke Airborne dispersal of microalgae has largely been a blind spot in environmental biological studies because of their low concen- tration in the atmosphere and the technical limitations in investigating microalgae from air samples. Recent studies show that airborne microalgae can survive air transportation and interact with the environment, possibly influencing their deposition rates. This minireview presents a summary of these studies and traces the possible route, step by step, from established ecosys- tems to new habitats through air transportation over a variety of geographic scales. Emission, transportation, deposition, and adaptation to atmospheric stress are discussed, as well as the consequences of their dispersal on health and the environment and Downloaded from state-of-the-art techniques to detect and model airborne microalga dispersal. More-detailed studies on the microalga atmo- spheric cycle, including, for instance, ice nucleation activity and transport simulations, are crucial for improving our under- standing of microalga ecology, identifying microalga interactions with the environment, and preventing unwanted contamina- tion events or invasions. he presence of microorganisms in the atmosphere has been phyta and Ochrophyta in the atmosphere (taxonomic classifica- Tdebated over centuries.
    [Show full text]
  • The Green Puzzle Stichococcus (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta): New Generic and Species Concept Among This Widely Distributed Genus
    Phytotaxa 441 (2): 113–142 ISSN 1179-3155 (print edition) https://www.mapress.com/j/pt/ PHYTOTAXA Copyright © 2020 Magnolia Press Article ISSN 1179-3163 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.441.2.2 The green puzzle Stichococcus (Trebouxiophyceae, Chlorophyta): New generic and species concept among this widely distributed genus THOMAS PRÖSCHOLD1,3* & TATYANA DARIENKO2,4 1 University of Innsbruck, Research Department for Limnology, A-5310 Mondsee, Austria 2 University of Göttingen, Albrecht-von-Haller-Institute of Plant Sciences, Experimental Phycology and Sammlung für Algenkulturen, D-37073 Göttingen, Germany 3 Thomas.Proeschold@uibk.ac.at; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7858-0434 4 tdarien@gwdg.de; http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1957-0076 *Correspondence author Abstract Phylogenetic analyses have revealed that the traditional order Prasiolales, which contains filamentous and pseudoparenchy- matous genera Prasiola and Rosenvingiella with complex life cycle, also contains taxa of more simple morphology such as coccoids like Pseudochlorella and Edaphochlorella or rod-like organisms like Stichococcus and Pseudostichococcus (called Prasiola clade of the Trebouxiophyceae). Recent studies have shown a high biodiversity among these organisms and questioned the traditional generic and species concept. We studied 34 strains assigned as Stichococcus, Pseudostichococcus, Diplosphaera and Desmocococcus. Phylogenetic analyses using a multigene approach revealed that these strains belong to eight independent lineages within the Prasiola clade of the Trebouxiophyceae. For testing if these lineages represent genera, we studied the secondary structures of SSU and ITS rDNA sequences to find genetic synapomorphies. The secondary struc- ture of the V9 region of SSU is diagnostic to support the proposal for separation of eight genera.
    [Show full text]
  • Cytological Studies on Some Chlorococcoid Green Algae U. N
    Cytologia 48: 543-550, 1983 Cytological Studies on Some Chlorococcoid Green Algae U. N. Rai and Y. B.K. Chowdary Departmentof Botany,Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi-221005,India ReceivedSeptember 18, 1981 Cytological studies on chlorococcoid green algae are meagre. The reason for sucha limited work has been the relatively small size of chromosome which appears as small dots during nuclear division, making them inaccessible to light microscope (Rai 1980). Cytological studies made on this group of microorganism have shown only the basic chromosome number. Consequently no firm conclusions on the cytotaxonomy of this order have been achieved. We, therefore, investigated the morphology and cytology of nine chlorococcoid members available locally. Materials and methods Description of materials Chlorococcum infusionum (Schrank) Meneghini Cells spherical, 6-36ƒÊm in diameter, with a mucilaginous covering of 1.5-7.5ƒÊ m thickness; chloroplast like a hallow sphere with a notch on one side and with a pyrenoid; reproduction by biciliate swarmers. Trebouxia humicola (Treboux) West et Fritsch Subareal, found as green patches in association with some blue-green algae on the bark of Schleichera triguga; cells spherical, 1.5-3.0ƒÊm in diameter, with a thin cell membrane; chloroplast central with lobed margin and a pyrenoid; repro duction through biciliate zoospores. Botryococcus braunii Kuetzing Colonies 12-80ƒÊm in diameter, irregular in shape, free floating, with a muci laginous envelope of irregular wrinkles or folds, often united into net-like aggregates by means of long delicate mucilaginous projections from the colonial envelope; cells 4-64 per colony, arranged in a zig-zag manner, with a solitary, parietal cup shaped or laminate chloroplast with a pyrenoid, measuring 3.5-6.0ƒÊm broad and 5.5-11.0ƒÊm long; reproduction through mature cells producing 8 autospores per cell.
    [Show full text]
  • Program and Abstracts
    rd 3BIENNIAL SYMPOSIUM Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society March 16-19, 2003 • Sheraton Imperial Hotel • Durham, North Carolina, USA “Connections... A Focus on Habitat Conservation” A small army of professionals is constantly working to conserve the habitats of freshwater mollusks; however, the "scientific evidence" needed to support requirements associated with project related permits often isn't readily available. These folks need your help! The Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS) is an organization devoted to the advocacy for, public education about, and conservation science of freshwater mollusks, North America's most imperiled fauna. Membership in the society is open to anyone interested in freshwater mollusks who supports the stated purposes of the Society: 1) advocate conservation of freshwater MEETING PROGRAM AND ABSTRACTS molluscan resources, 2) serve as a conduit for information about Symposium Host Sponsors Symposium Financial Sponsors freshwater mollusks, NC Wildlife Resources Commission EnviroScience, Inc. 3) promote science-based management of NC Department of Transportation Mississippi Interstate Cooperative freshwater mollusks, NC State University Resources Association 4) promote and facilitate education and awareness College of Agriculture and Mussel Mitigation Trust Fund about freshwater mollusks and their function in Life Sciences NC Department of Transportation freshwater ecosystems, College of Veterinary Medicine NC Museum of Natural Sciences 5) assist with the facilitation of the National NC Cooperative Extension Service Tennessee Valley Authority Strategy for the Conservation of Native The Catena Group, Inc. Freshwater Mussels (Journal of Shellfish The Nature Conservancy of Virginia Research, 1999, Volume 17, Number 5), and a Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries similar strategy under development for U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Examination of the Terrestrial Algae of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA
    Fottea 10(2): 201–215, 2010 201 Examination of the terrestrial algae of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA Liliya S. KHAYBULLINA 1, Lira A. GAYSINA 1*, Jeffrey R. JOHANSEN 2 & Markéta KRAUTOVÁ 3 1Department of Botany, Bioecology and Landscape Design, Bashkir State Pedagogical University named after M.Akmullah, Ufa, Oktyabrskoy revolucii st., 3a, 450000, Bashkortostan, Russia; * corresponding author e–mail: lira.gaisina@gmail.com 2Department of Biology, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio 44118, USA; e–mail: johansen@jcu.edu 3Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Branišovská 31, CZ–370 05, Czech Republic Abstract: Forest soils of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park were examined for soil algae as part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory underway in that park. Soils of both mature and secondary growth forests were sampled, along with samples from rocks and tree bark. A total of 42 taxa were observed, representing Cyanobacteria (3 species), Chlorophyceae (12 species), Trebouxiophyceae (18 species), Ulvophyceae (3 species), Klebsormidiophyceae (1 species), Zygnematophyceae (2 species), Tribophyta (3 species), Eustigmatophyta (1 species), Euglenophyta (1 species), and Dinophyta (1 species). Twenty new taxa records for the park were established. Key words: aerial algae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanobacteria, forest soils, phycobiont, terrestrial algae, Trebouxiophyceae. Introduction more intensive study, the number of the algae was eventually catalogued at 1000 taxa (JOHANSEN et The Great Smoky Mountains National Park al. 2007). These algae were found in rivers, creeks, (GSMNP), an International Biosphere Preserve springs, and seep walls. Soil algae were studied in the Appalachian Mountains, straddles the in a very limited fashion by DEASON & HERN D ON Tennessee–North Carolina border within the (1989), who reported three taxa from soils in the USA.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Survey of the Diversity of Soil Algae And'cyanoprokaryotes'on
    Venter, et al. 2015. Published in Australian Journal of Botany. 63:341-352. A preliminary survey of the diversity of soil algae and cyanoprokaryotes on mafic and ultramafic substrates in South Africa , , Arthurita Venter A C, Anatoliy Levanets A, Stefan Siebert A and Nishanta RajakarunaA B AUnit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. BCollege of the Atlantic, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA. CCorresponding author. Email: 10066551@nwu.ac.za Abstract. Despite a large body of work on the serpentine-substrate effect on vascular plants, little work has been undertaken to describe algal communities found on serpentine soils derived from peridotite and other ultramafic rocks. We report a preliminary study describing the occurrence of algae and cyanoprokaryotes on mafic and ultramafic substrates from South Africa. Results suggest that slope and aspect play a key role in species diversity and community composition and, although low pH, nutrients and metal content do not reduce species richness, these edaphic features also influence species composition. Further, typical soil genera such as Leptolyngbya, Microcoleus, Phormidium, Chlamydomonas, Chlorococcum and Hantzschia were found at most sites. Chroococcus sp., Scytonema ocellatum, Nostoc linckia, Chlorotetraedron sp., Hormotilopsis gelatinosa, Klebsormidium flaccidium, Pleurococcus sp. and Tetracystis elliptica were unique to one serpentine site. The preliminary survey provides directions for future research on the serpentine- substrate effect on algal and cyanoprokaryote diversity in South Africa. Additional keywords: algae, cryptogamic ecology, serpentine geoecology, species diversity. Introduction species (Siebert et al. 2002;O’Dell and Rajakaruna 2011) and A range of soils can develop from ultramafic rocks depending on are model settings for the study of plant ecology and evolution climate, time, relief, chemical composition of the parent materials (Harrison and Rajakaruna 2011).
    [Show full text]
  • Research Article
    Ecologica Montenegrina 20: 24-39 (2019) This journal is available online at: www.biotaxa.org/em Biodiversity of phototrophs in illuminated entrance zones of seven caves in Montenegro EKATERINA V. KOZLOVA1*, SVETLANA E. MAZINA1,2 & VLADIMIR PEŠIĆ3 1 Department of Ecological Monitoring and Forecasting, Ecological Faculty of Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, 115093 Moscow, 8-5 Podolskoye shosse, Ecological Faculty, PFUR, Russia 2 Department of Radiochemistry, Chemistry Faculty of Lomonosov Moscow State University 119991, 1-3 Leninskiye Gory, GSP-1, MSU, Moscow, Russia 3 Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put b.b., 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro *Corresponding autor: ekaterina.vi.ko@gmail.com Received 4 January 2019 │ Accepted by V. Pešić: 9 February 2019 │ Published online 10 February 2019. Abstract The biodiversity of the entrance zones of the Montenegro caves is barely studied, therefore the purpose of this study was to assess the biodiversity of several caves in Montenegro. The samples of phototrophs were taken from various substrates of the entrance zone of 7 caves in July 2017. A total of 87 species of phototrophs were identified, including 64 species of algae and Cyanobacteria, and 21 species of Bryophyta. Comparison of biodiversity was carried out using Jacquard and Shorygin indices. The prevalence of cyanobacteria in the algal flora and the dominance of green algae were revealed. The composition of the phototrophic communities was influenced mainly by the morphology of the entrance zones, not by the spatial proximity of the studied caves. Key words: karst caves, entrance zone, ecotone, algae, cyanobacteria, bryophyte, Montenegro. Introduction The subterranean karst forms represent habitats that considered more climatically stable than the surface.
    [Show full text]
  • Green Algae Secondary Article
    Green Algae Secondary article Mark A Buchheim, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA Article Contents . Introduction The green algae comprise a large and diverse group of organisms that range from the . Major Groups microscopic to the macroscopic. Green algae are found in virtually all aquatic and some . Economic and Ecological Importance terrestrial habitats. Introduction generalization). The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of The green algae comprise a large and diverse group of the green plant group is supported by both molecular and organisms that range from the microscopic (e.g. Chlamy- nonmolecular evidence (Graham, 1993; Graham and domonas) to the macroscopic (e.g. Acetabularia). In Wilcox, 2000). This group of green organisms has been addition to exhibiting a considerable range of structural termed the Viridaeplantae or Chlorobionta. Neither the variability, green algae are characterized by extensive euglenoids nor the chlorarachniophytes, both of which ecological diversity. Green algae are found in virtually all have apparently acquired a green chloroplast by a aquatic (both freshwater and marine) and some terrestrial secondary endosymbiosis, are included in the green plant habitats. Although most are free-living, a number of green lineage (Graham and Wilcox, 2000). Furthermore, the algae are found in symbiotic associations with other Chloroxybacteria (e.g. Prochloron), which possess chlor- organisms (e.g. the lichen association between an alga ophyll a and b organized on thylakoids, are true and a fungus). Some green algae grow epiphytically (e.g. prokaryotes, and are not, therefore, included in the green Characiochloris, which grows on other filamentous algae plant lineage. The green algal division Chlorophyta forms or higher aquatic plants), epizoically (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • 7 Systematics of the Green Algae
    7989_C007.fm Page 123 Monday, June 25, 2007 8:57 PM Systematics of the green 7 algae: conflict of classic and modern approaches Thomas Pröschold and Frederik Leliaert CONTENTS Introduction ....................................................................................................................................124 How are green algae classified? ........................................................................................125 The morphological concept ...............................................................................................125 The ultrastructural concept ................................................................................................125 The molecular concept (phylogenetic concept).................................................................131 Classic versus modern approaches: problems with identification of species and genera.....................................................................................................................134 Taxonomic revision of genera and species using polyphasic approaches....................................139 Polyphasic approaches used for characterization of the genera Oogamochlamys and Lobochlamys....................................................................................140 Delimiting phylogenetic species by a multi-gene approach in Micromonas and Halimeda .....................................................................................................................143 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................144
    [Show full text]