Ancient photosynthetic eukaryote biofilms in an Atacama Desert coastal cave

Azua-Bustos, A.; Gonzalez-Silva, C.; Mancilla, R. A.; Salas, L.; Palma, R. E.; Wynne, J. J.; McKay, C. P.; Vicuna, R.

Abstract:

Caves offer a stable and protected environment from harsh and changing outside prevailing conditions. Hence, they represent an interesting habitat for studying life in extreme environments. Here, we report the presence of a member of the ancient eukaryote red algae Cyanidium group in a coastal cave of the hyperarid Atacama Desert. This microorganism was found to form a seemingly monospecific biofilm growing under extremely low photon flux levels. Our work suggests that this species, Cyanidium sp. Atacama, is a new member of a recently proposed novel monophyletic lineage of mesophilic "cave" Cyanidium sp., distinct from the remaining three other lineages which are all thermo-acidophilic. The cave described in this work may represent an evolutionary island for life in the midst of the Atacama Desert. ?? Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2009.

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Article

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70034780

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Azua-Bustos, A.; Gonzalez-Silva, C.; Mancilla, R. A.; Salas, L.; Palma, R. E.; Wynne, J. J.; McKay, C. P.; Vicuna, R.

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496

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English

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Microbial Ecology

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Ancient photosynthetic eukaryote biofilms in an Atacama Desert coastal cave; 2009; Article; Journal; Microbial Ecology; Azua-Bustos, A.; Gonzalez-Silva, C.; Mancilla, R. A.; Salas, L.; Palma, R. E.; Wynne, J. J.; McKay, C. P.; Vicuna, R.