Polyphasic evaluation of key cyanobacteria in biocrusts from the most arid region in Europe.

ABSTRACT: Cyanobacteria are key microbes in topsoil communities that have important roles in preventing soil erosion, carbon and nitrogen fixation, and influencing soil hydrology. However, little is known regarding the identity and distribution of the microbial components in the photosynthetic assemblages that form a cohesive biological soil crust (biocrust) in drylands of Europe. In this study, we investigated the cyanobacterial species colonizing biocrusts in three representative dryland ecosystems from the most arid region in Europe (SE Spain) that are characterized by different soil conditions. Isolated cyanobacterial cultures were identified by a polyphasic approach, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing, phylogenetic relationship determination, and morphological and ecological habitat assessments

SUBMITTER: Roncero-Ramos B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6321753 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature