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Subaerial eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria on dripping rocks in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil: composition and abundance

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Abstract

The abundance and composition of subaerial eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria on dripping rocks are affected by natural and anthropogenic factors. This study evaluated the composition, species richness, and abundance of these microorganisms on two dripping rocks in southeastern Brazil, under different anthropogenic influences. Samples were collected during two seasons (winter and summer) on two dripping rocks in the Atlantic Forest: one located in a protected, and the other in an urban area. Material on the rocks was scraped and quantified by the sedimentation method. Total taxa richness was high (222), and the richness and abundance of both eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria were affected by the climate, especially in summer. The higher total abundance on the impacted dripping rock was probably related to greater nutrient availability. However, direct exposure to sunlight and less available moisture seemed to affect all groups of microorganisms, favoring large mucilaginous and sheathed cyanobacteria. The protected non-impacted dripping rock supported a lower total abundance, with a larger contribution of diatoms, which are more sensitive to desiccation. The method used in this study to quantify eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria populations in moist vertical environments was efficient in contributing to our knowledge of the diversity and ecology of these microorganisms in similar systems.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Dr. Janet W. Reid, Biological Consulting and Editing Services (JWR Associates) for the language editing that helped to improve the earlier version of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Ficologia, Departamento de Botânica, Museu Nacional/Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro – Horto Botânico, Quinta da Boa Vista, São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 20 940-040, Brazil

    M. G. Sophia, V. L. M. Huszar, L. H. S. Silva, C. D. Domingues & J. B. O. Santos

  2. Seção de Ecologia, Divisão do Jardim Botânico de São Paulo, Instituto de Botânica, Avenida Miguel Estéfano, 3687, Água Funda, São Paulo, SP, 04301-012, Brazil

    C. E. M. Bicudo

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  1. M. G. Sophia
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  2. V. L. M. Huszar
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  3. L. H. S. Silva
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  4. C. D. Domingues
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  5. J. B. O. Santos
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  6. C. E. M. Bicudo
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Correspondence to M. G. Sophia.

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Sophia, M.G., Huszar, V.L.M., Silva, L.H.S. et al. Subaerial eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria on dripping rocks in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil: composition and abundance. Braz. J. Bot 39, 741–749 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-016-0261-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-016-0261-3

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