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Chlorophyta, Xanthophyceae and Cyanobacteria in Wright Valley, Antarctica

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2015

Phil M. Novis ,
Jackie Aislabie ,
Susan Turner  and
Malcolm McLeod
Phil M. Novis*
Affiliation:
Allan Herbarium, Landcare Research, PO Box 69040, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand
Jackie Aislabie
Affiliation:
Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
Susan Turner
Affiliation:
BioDiscovery NZ, 24 Balfour Rd, Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand
Malcolm McLeod
Affiliation:
Landcare Research, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand
*
NovisP@landcareresearch.co.nz
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Abstract

Wright Valley, Victoria Land contains numerous aquatic habitats suitable for the growth of algae in summer. Excepting diatoms and lichen phycobionts, algal diversity and distribution in the valley was documented. Using cultures and environmental cloning eight cyanobacterial and 14 eukaryotic species were revealed. The cyanobacterium Microcoleus vaginatus and the chlorophycean Chlorococcum sp. 1 were the most common, both occurring in more than one habitat (ponds, soils or streams). Ponds harboured the most diverse communities. Habitat specialization was rare. Chlamydomonads were not found outside ponds, but species capable of zoospore production were able to colonize ponds and soils. Nostocalean cyanobacteria were not detected. Results suggest dispersal within and between valleys, with little evidence of Antarctic endemism. All but one cyanobacterium with similar internally transcribed spacer (ITS) length to clones from Miers Valley proved to be different species when 16S rRNA gene sequences were also considered; thus, ITS length is unreliable for assessing identity and biogeography of these cyanobacteria. Comparison with a 454 16S rRNA gene soil dataset from Wright Valley indicated the occurrence of only one of the cyanobacterial species, the distribution of which may be limited by salinity.

Keywords

algaebiogeographydispersaldistribution
Type
Biological Sciences
Information
Antarctic Science , Volume 27 , Supplement 5 , October 2015 , pp. 439 - 454
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Copyright
© Antarctic Science Ltd 2015 

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