BIODIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF CYANOBACTERIA AT DRONNING MAUD LAND, EAST ANTARCTICA

Abstract

The current study describes the biodiversity and distribution of cyanobacteria from the natural habitats of Schirmacher land, East Antarctica surveyed during 23rd Indian Antarctic Expedition (2003–2004). Cyanobacteria were mapped using the Global Positioning System (GPS). A total of 109 species (91 species were non-heterocystous and 18 species were heterocystous) from 30 genera and 9 families were recorded; 67, 86 and 14 species of cyanobacteria were identified at altitudes of sea level >100 m, 101–150 m and 398–461 m, respectively. The relative frequency and relative density of cyanobacterial populations in the microbial mats showed that 11 species from 8 genera were abundant and 6 species (Phormidium angustissimum, P. tenue, P. uncinatum Schizothrix vaginata, Nostoc kihlmanii and Plectonema terebrans) could be considered as dominant species in the study area.