NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Cyanobacterial Community Structure In Lithifying Mats of A Yellowstone Hotspring-Implications for Precambrian Stromatolite BiocomplexityDenaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences was used to investigate the molecular biodiversity of cyanobacterial communities inhabiting various lithified morpho-structures in two hotsprings of Yellowstone National Park. These morpho-structures - flat-topped columns, columnar cones, and ridged cones - resemble ancient stromatolites, which are possibly biogenic in origin. The top, middle and bottom sections of these lithified morpho-structures, as well as surrounding non-lithified mats were analyzed to determine the vertical and spatial distribution of cyanobacterial communities. Results from DGGE indicate that the cyanobacterial community composition of lithified morpho-structures (flat-topped columns, columnar cones, and ridged cones) were largely similar in vertical distribution as well as among the morpho-structures being studied. Preliminary results indicate that the cyanobacterial communities in these lithified morpho-structures were significantly different from communities in surrounding non-lithified mats. These results provide additional support to the theory that certain Phormidium/Leptolyngbya species are involved in the morphogenesis of lithifying morpho-structures in hotsprings and may have played a role in the formation of ancient stromatolites.
Document ID
20020064475
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lau, Evan
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Nash, C. Z.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Vogler, D. R.
(Department of Agriculture United States)
Cullings, K.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
DeVincenzi, Donald
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2002
Subject Category
Geosciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2nd Astrobiology Science Conference
Location: Moffett Field, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: April 7, 2002
End Date: April 11, 2002
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 121-50-50
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available