Gradient of algal and cyanobacterial assemblages in a temporary lake with melting water at Solorina Valley, James Ross Island, Antarctica

Abstract

The aim of presented study is to contribute to species list of algae, cyanobacteria and diatoms from moist localities of James Ross Island, Solorina Valley (63° 53' S, 57° 48' W) in particular. In 2012, samples of microbiological mats were taken from a bottom of shallow depression close to a seashore line. The sampling site has been filled with melting water from glacier for some weeks preceding the collection. On collection date, however it was dried out. The samples were analysed using optical microscopy approach after the transport of samples to Czech Republic (Masaryk University, Brno). Algal and cyanobacterial taxa forming the microbiological mats were determined according to their morphological characteristics and the frequencies of individual taxa occurrence evaluated. Species richness differed between individual sampling sites located across a shallow depression suggesting an ecological role of duration of stagnant water for biodiversity in temporary freshwater ponds. Altogether, 37 algal and cyanobacterial taxa were found. While 23 taxa present in the centre of the depression, only 10 taxa were found close to the margin where the dry period was the longest.

Biodiversity of freshwater autotrophs in selected wet places in northern coastal ecosystems of James Ross Island

“…Our samples reported in this study, i.e. those collected from streams and seepages fed by melting snow at Komarek slopes showed lower taxonomical diversity than the earlier samples from lakes (Skácelová et al 2013) and soil crusts (Skácelová et Barták 2014) from James Ross Island (Ha-wes et Brazier 1991, Kopalová et al 2012. in their study determined relatively broad spectrum of cyanobacterial species in seepages at Komarek slopes.…”

Resistance of Antarctic moss Sanionia uncinata to photoinhibition: chlorophyll fluorescence analysis of samples from the western and eastern coasts of the Antarctic Peninsula

“…Within the last three decades, biodiversity studies have been performed here, focused on freshwater diatoms (Kopalová et al . 2013), terrestrial algae (Skácelová & Barták 2014), cyanobacteria and lichens (Lewis Smith & Øvstedal 1994) and mosses (BAS moss database ‐ see Antarctic Plant Database in other sources). The microclimate has the following temperature characteristics (measured 2 m above the ground): −33.1 °C (annual minimum), 9.3 °C (annual maximum) and −9.8 °C annual mean (data from Elster et al .…”

A new record of lichenized fungus species for Antarctica: Peltigera castanea Goward, Goffinet & Miądl.

“…Several shallow depressions are located over the terrase. They are filled by meltwater at the begining of austral summer season and rich in microbiological mats formed by tens of algal and cyanobacterial species (Skácelová and Barták 2014). The regolith from Solorina Valley was analyzed by Coufalík et al (2015), who revealed low mercury levels originated from weathering of bedrock.…”