Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments
Endoliths are more frequently found in extremely harsh environments, but they can inhabit mesic climate and subterranean habitats as well. Whether they are adapted to life inside rocks or do they seek refuge in this way, remains largely unknown for caves and pits. Consequently, subterranean habitats...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Kragujevac Journal of Science |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1450-9636/2021/1450-96362143123P.pdf |
| _version_ | 1811302249024978944 |
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| author | Popović Slađana Nikolić Nataša Predojević Dragana Jakovljević Olga Rađa Tonči Anđelković Ana Subakov-Simić Gordana |
| author_facet | Popović Slađana Nikolić Nataša Predojević Dragana Jakovljević Olga Rađa Tonči Anđelković Ana Subakov-Simić Gordana |
| author_sort | Popović Slađana |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Endoliths are more frequently found in extremely harsh environments, but they can inhabit mesic climate and subterranean habitats as well. Whether they are adapted to life inside rocks or do they seek refuge in this way, remains largely unknown for caves and pits. Consequently, subterranean habitats in limestone areas, were explored: three caves in Serbia (Cerjanska, Petnička and Potpeć) and one pit in Croatia (Keranova Golubinka). Sampling of rock substratum containing endoliths was performed at various distances from the entrance, at sites characterized by a lower level of light intensity. Phototrophs were separated from the rock matrix using 10% hydrochloric acid and analyzed using light microscopy. In general, low diversity of endoliths was observed, but representatives from Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta and Xanthophyta were found. Cyanobacteria, more precisely coccoid forms (genera Aphanocapsa, Chroococcidiopsis, Gloeocapsa, Gloeocapsopsis, Synechococcus), were dominant. The most interesting cyanobacterial taxon, Leptolyngbya-like taxon, representing a true endolith (euendolith), was found in the Petnička Cave. This taxon and its relation to the substratum, as well as chasmoendolithic community from the Keranova Golubinka Pit, were observed using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that chasmoendoliths inhabit already existing surface rock cracks and fissures, while a true endolith actively bores into the substratum. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was performed to observe the similarity between the sampling sites. Endoliths can grow inside the rocks, making them very successful biodeteriogens, which is not a desirable trait for caves and pits that are characterized by various attractive geomorphological features that need to be preserved. Thus, considering these habitats, more attention should be paid to the endolith community in the future. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:24:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5386362c96c9456ca5fa65c4b2d8169a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1450-9636 2466-5509 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:24:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Kragujevac, Faculty of Science |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Kragujevac Journal of Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-5386362c96c9456ca5fa65c4b2d8169a2022-12-22T02:56:30ZengUniversity of Kragujevac, Faculty of ScienceKragujevac Journal of Science1450-96362466-55092021-01-0120214312313710.5937/KgJSci2143123P1450-96362143123PEndolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environmentsPopović Slađana0Nikolić Nataša1Predojević Dragana2Jakovljević Olga3Rađa Tonči4Anđelković Ana5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6616-1710Subakov-Simić Gordana6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0500-7354University of Belgrade, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, Center of Ecology and Technoeconomics, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Belgrade, SerbiaSpeleological Society "Špiljar", Split, CroatiaInstitute for Plant Protection and Environment, Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Botany and Botanical Garden "Jevremovac", Belgrade, SerbiaEndoliths are more frequently found in extremely harsh environments, but they can inhabit mesic climate and subterranean habitats as well. Whether they are adapted to life inside rocks or do they seek refuge in this way, remains largely unknown for caves and pits. Consequently, subterranean habitats in limestone areas, were explored: three caves in Serbia (Cerjanska, Petnička and Potpeć) and one pit in Croatia (Keranova Golubinka). Sampling of rock substratum containing endoliths was performed at various distances from the entrance, at sites characterized by a lower level of light intensity. Phototrophs were separated from the rock matrix using 10% hydrochloric acid and analyzed using light microscopy. In general, low diversity of endoliths was observed, but representatives from Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta and Xanthophyta were found. Cyanobacteria, more precisely coccoid forms (genera Aphanocapsa, Chroococcidiopsis, Gloeocapsa, Gloeocapsopsis, Synechococcus), were dominant. The most interesting cyanobacterial taxon, Leptolyngbya-like taxon, representing a true endolith (euendolith), was found in the Petnička Cave. This taxon and its relation to the substratum, as well as chasmoendolithic community from the Keranova Golubinka Pit, were observed using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that chasmoendoliths inhabit already existing surface rock cracks and fissures, while a true endolith actively bores into the substratum. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) was performed to observe the similarity between the sampling sites. Endoliths can grow inside the rocks, making them very successful biodeteriogens, which is not a desirable trait for caves and pits that are characterized by various attractive geomorphological features that need to be preserved. Thus, considering these habitats, more attention should be paid to the endolith community in the future.https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1450-9636/2021/1450-96362143123P.pdfendolithsaerophytic cyanobacteria and algaecave-like environmentsdiversityecology |
| spellingShingle | Popović Slađana Nikolić Nataša Predojević Dragana Jakovljević Olga Rađa Tonči Anđelković Ana Subakov-Simić Gordana Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments Kragujevac Journal of Science endoliths aerophytic cyanobacteria and algae cave-like environments diversity ecology |
| title | Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments |
| title_full | Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments |
| title_fullStr | Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments |
| title_full_unstemmed | Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments |
| title_short | Endolithic phototrophs: Examples from cave-like environments |
| title_sort | endolithic phototrophs examples from cave like environments |
| topic | endoliths aerophytic cyanobacteria and algae cave-like environments diversity ecology |
| url | https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1450-9636/2021/1450-96362143123P.pdf |
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