Diversity of biocrust-forming cyanobacteria in a semiarid gypsiferous site from Central Spain.

ABSTRACT: Cyanobacteria are a key constituent of biocrusts, communities dominated by lichens, mosses and associated microorganisms, which are prevalent in drylands worldwide and that largely determine their functioning. Despite their importance, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the composition and diversity of cyanobacteria associated with biocrusts, particularly in areas such as the Mediterranean Basin. We studied the diversity of these cyanobacteria in a gypsiferous grassland from Central Spain using both morphological identification after cultivation and genetic analyses with the 16S rRNA gene. Nine different morphotypes were observed, eight corresponding to filamentous, and one to unicellular cyanobacteria. We found cyanobacterial genera typical of biocrust communities, such as Microc

SUBMITTER: Cano-Diaz C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6054298 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature