Biodiversity of Limestone Caves: Aggregations of Aerophytic Algae and Cyanobacteria in Relation to Site Factors

Czerwik-Marcinkowska, Joanna; Wojciechowska, Anna; Massalski, A.

doi:10.3161/15052249pje2015.63.4.002

Cited by 21 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Most members of the Humidophila genus are considered cosmopolitan due to their wide distribution (Poulíčková & Hašler 2007). H. contenta also had the highest occurrence in the caves of Poland (Czerwik-Marcinkowska et al 2015); and was found in the caves of Central Moravia (Czech Republic) (Poulíčková & Hašler 2007), Canada (Lauriol et al 2006) and in the Urals (Abdullin 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity of Phototrophs in Illuminated Entrance Zones of Seven Caves in Montenegro

Kozlova¹,

Mazina²,

Pešić³

2019

Ecol. Mont

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biodiversity of Phototrophs in Illuminated Entrance Zones of Seven Caves in Montenegro

Kozlova¹,

Mazina²,

Pešić³

2019

Ecol. Mont

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It was described from caves throughout Europe, e.g. in Greece (Lamprinou et al, 2013), Spain (Asencio and Aboal, 2000;, Italy (Giordano et al, 2000), Hungary (Claus, 1964), Serbia (Popović et al, 2017) and Poland (Czerwik-Marcinkowska et al, 2015). The second most abundant cyanobacterium was Oscillatoria, regularly found in sub-aerial habitats Sethi et al, 2012).…”

Section: Taxa and Authorities Lz Tz Dz Lz Tz Dz Lz Tz Lz Tzmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta represented the richest phyla, in terms of the number of genera, in Skilpad and Bushmen caves, respectively. Czerwik-Marcinkowska and Mrozińska (2011) reported Chlorophyta as one of the dominant phyla in a Polish limestone cave, while Bacillariophyta (diatoms) was also observed by Czerwik-Marcinkowska et al (2015) in similar environments. The diatom Pinnularia (Phylum Bacillariophyta) was identified at 20 sites and is well-adapted to colonize a wide range of substrates (Macedo et al, 2009).…”

Section: Taxa and Authorities Lz Tz Dz Lz Tz Dz Lz Tz Lz Tzmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epilythic cyanobacteria and algae in two geologically distinct caves in South Africa

Vuuren¹,

Preez²,

Levanets³

et al. 2019

JCKS

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There is a lack of knowledge on cyanobacteria and algae living in caves in the southern hemisphere. As a result, a pioneer study was undertaken to investigate cyanobacterial and algal community composition in two morphologically and geologically distinct caves in South Africa. Skilpad Cave is characterized by a large sinkhole entrance in a dolomitic landscape. Three zones (light zone, twilight zone and dark zone) were identified based on differences in light intensity. Bushmen Cave, on the other hand, is a rockshelter overhang situated in a sandstone-dominated area and only presents a light and twilight zone. Cyanobacteria and algae were sampled twice, during the summer and winter of 2018 while abiotic factors of interest, i.e. light intensity, temperature and relative humidity, were also measured. A huge diversity of cyanobacteria (14 genera) and algae (48 genera) were identified in the two caves. While some genera were only present in one of the caves, other cosmopolitan genera were found in both caves. The most common genera encountered were Phormidium, Oscillatoria and Nostoc (cyanobacteria), Pinnularia and Luticola (diatoms), Chlorella and Chlorococcum (green algae). Cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms were also the richest groups (taxa) in terms of the number of genera. More genera were present in the warm, wet season compared to the dry, cold season. Genus richness was positively correlated with light intensity in Skilpad Cave, but negatively in Bushmen Cave. Petalonema alatum, a cyanobacterium encountered in Bushmen Cave, represented a new record for Africa, and therefore, further research on cyanobacteria and algal assemblages in caves in the southern hemisphere is strongly recommended.

show abstract

“…They play an important role in several aspects of the environment such as colonizers, nitrogen fixers, prey for micrograzers, or deterioration agents. Cyanobacteria are morphologically diverse group of prokaryotes successfully colonizing and inhabiting almost all kind of terrestrial and aquatic habitats including extreme microhabitats such as caves, rocks, external walls of monuments, and buildings [26,27]. Wild caves and caves made accessible to general public are characterized by extreme conditions, and they also offer a unique habitat for cyanobacteria [20].…”

Section: Ecology Of Cyanobacteria In Cavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity of Cyanobacteria on Limestone Caves

Czerwik-Marcinkowska¹,

Massalski²

2018

Cyanobacteria

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The caves are the biodiversity centers for different types of microorganisms, especially for cyanobacteria. They are also present in almost all extreme environments, and their importance in terrestrial ecosystems is greater because of the decreased competition from vascular plants. Cyanobacteria occurring on rocks are epilithic (colonizing the substrate surface), hypolithic (growing under pebbles and small stones), and endolithic (present in an upper layer of rock). There are three limiting factors for cyanobacteria growing in caves: light or its lack, high humidity, and constant temperature. In caves, one can find not only the cosmopolitan cavernicolous species but also rare taxa. Light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laboratory cultures, as well as molecular phylogenetic studies are important tools in the study of cave cyanobacteria.

show abstract

Biodiversity of Limestone Caves: Aggregations of Aerophytic Algae and Cyanobacteria in Relation to Site Factors

Cited by 21 publications

References 22 publications

Biodiversity of Phototrophs in Illuminated Entrance Zones of Seven Caves in Montenegro

Biodiversity of Phototrophs in Illuminated Entrance Zones of Seven Caves in Montenegro

Epilythic cyanobacteria and algae in two geologically distinct caves in South Africa

Diversity of Cyanobacteria on Limestone Caves

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About