HYPOLITHIC CYANOBACTERIA COLONIZATION OF QUARTZ AT SOUTH DESERT

Al-Thani Al-Thani

doi:10.3844/ojbsci.2014.57.63

Abstract

Hypolithic microbial communities (found underneath rocks) were encountered in the southern desert of Qatar where quartz rocks are ubiquitous and are a s ubstrate for hypoliths. These hypoliths thrive wher e extreme temperature, moisture stress and high light intensity limit the occurrence of higher plants an d animal life. A small-scale ecological survey indica ted that 80% of the quartz rocks in the area were colonized by green hypolithic microbial communities dominated by colonization of cyanobacteria. Using light and electron microscopic analyses; the cyanob acterial community structure of hypoliths was shown to be dominated by cyanobacteria affiliated to the gen era Chroococcidiopsis , Aphanothece , Pleurocapsa , Oscillatoria , Lyngbya , Leptolyngbya , Phormidium and Scytonema ).

Highlights

The State of Qatar is a peninsula located between 24° 27’ and 26° 10’ north and 50° 45’ and 51° 40’ east (Fig. 1)
A small-scale ecological survey indicated that 80% of the quartz rocks in the area were colonized by green hypolithic microbial communities dominated by colonization of cyanobacteria
Distribution of quartz rocks which colonized with hypolithic microbial community were found at the three sites in South desert, Qatar (Fig. 1)

Summary

Introduction

The State of Qatar is a peninsula located between 24° 27’ and 26° 10’ north and 50° 45’ and 51° 40’ east (Fig. 1). It is 185 km long and 85 km wide, covering an area of 11,437 km. Average annual rainfall recorded is 81 mm. The morning humidity averages 71% and the afternoon relative humidity 43%. As Qatar is subjected to an arid climate, it mainly possesses an arid soil, with coarse texture, shallow depth and low retention of soluble substances. The level of salinity is extremely high in the soil and in the ground water and that is attributed mainly to its flatness low altitude

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion