Novel biogenic aggregation of moss gemmae on a disappearing African glacier.
PLoS One
; 9(11): e112510, 2014.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-25401789
ABSTRACT
Tropical regions are not well represented in glacier biology, yet many tropical glaciers are under threat of disappearance due to climate change. Here we report a novel biogenic aggregation at the terminus of a glacier in the Rwenzori Mountains, Uganda. The material was formed by uniseriate protonemal moss gemmae and protonema. Molecular analysis of five genetic markers determined the taxon as Ceratodon purpureus, a cosmopolitan species that is widespread in tropical to polar region. Given optimal growing temperatures of isolate is 20-30 °C, the cold glacier surface might seem unsuitable for this species. However, the cluster of protonema growth reached approximately 10 °C in daytime, suggesting that diurnal increase in temperature may contribute to the moss's ability to inhabit the glacier surface. The aggregation is also a habitat for microorganisms, and the disappearance of this glacier will lead to the loss of this unique ecosystem.
Texto completo:
1
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Ecosistema
/
Briófitas
/
Cubierta de Hielo
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
PLoS One
Asunto de la revista:
CIENCIA
/
MEDICINA
Año:
2014
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Japón