The sulfide-rich Frasassi cave complex (Genga, AN, Italy) host a still largely uncharacterised microbiota whom study might offers an intriguing view on the solutions adopted by the different species to survive and interact with each others in a such harsh environment. Beside the absence of light and low temperatures (12-13°C), another environmental shaping factors is represented by highly variable sulphide concentrations (from 0 up to 415 μM H2S). Moreover, up to now, very few study attempted to describe ciliate communities from caves as well as, their fluctuation with respect to environmental factors. In this analysis of the ciliate fauna of Frasassi caves, we focused our attention on a sampling site known as “Pozzo dei Cristalli” which is highly diversified since it include several microhabitats represented by small sulfidic (H2S-rich) ponds, streams and spring as well as, deep and shallow muddy, stagnant lakes. Periodic sampling was realised from 2009 to 2011 in the form of water-sediments, picked up by scraping the surface. A total of 31 species were identified; belonging to 9 classes, 15 orders and 23 genera. It was observed that some species e.g. Urocentrum turbo, Coleps hirtus, Euplotes sp, showed adaptation for the cave environment (high sulphur tolerance, Photo-sensitivity, feeding behaviour). Our future goal will be to study spatiotemporal variations in the ciliate communities employing cultivation-independent, molecular profiling assay (T-RFLP). Finally, integrating taxonomy and molecular data to obtain a more rigorous and detailed picture of the ciliate diversity in cave sediments.
PROTOZOAN CILIATES FROM THE SULPHIDIC SEDIMENTS OF POZZO DEI CRISTALLI (FRASSASI CAVES, ITALY)
BHARTI, DAIZY;LA TERZA, Antonietta
2012-01-01
Abstract
The sulfide-rich Frasassi cave complex (Genga, AN, Italy) host a still largely uncharacterised microbiota whom study might offers an intriguing view on the solutions adopted by the different species to survive and interact with each others in a such harsh environment. Beside the absence of light and low temperatures (12-13°C), another environmental shaping factors is represented by highly variable sulphide concentrations (from 0 up to 415 μM H2S). Moreover, up to now, very few study attempted to describe ciliate communities from caves as well as, their fluctuation with respect to environmental factors. In this analysis of the ciliate fauna of Frasassi caves, we focused our attention on a sampling site known as “Pozzo dei Cristalli” which is highly diversified since it include several microhabitats represented by small sulfidic (H2S-rich) ponds, streams and spring as well as, deep and shallow muddy, stagnant lakes. Periodic sampling was realised from 2009 to 2011 in the form of water-sediments, picked up by scraping the surface. A total of 31 species were identified; belonging to 9 classes, 15 orders and 23 genera. It was observed that some species e.g. Urocentrum turbo, Coleps hirtus, Euplotes sp, showed adaptation for the cave environment (high sulphur tolerance, Photo-sensitivity, feeding behaviour). Our future goal will be to study spatiotemporal variations in the ciliate communities employing cultivation-independent, molecular profiling assay (T-RFLP). Finally, integrating taxonomy and molecular data to obtain a more rigorous and detailed picture of the ciliate diversity in cave sediments.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
