Connectivity of Edaphic and Endolithic Microbial Niches in Cold Mountain Desert of Eastern Pamir (Tajikistan)

Research reveals significant connectivity between endolithic microbial communities and biological soil crusts (BSCs) in the cold mountain desert of Eastern Pamir, Tajikistan. While endolithic bacterial communities exhibit a distinct structure dominated by Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Cyanobacteria, BSC communities show a similar but slightly varied composition with lower representation of other bacteria. Notably, cyanobacterial communities within endoliths are rich in Chroococcidiopsaceae, Nodosilineaceae, Nostocaceae, and Thermosynechococcaceae, whereas BSCs are dominated by Nodosilineaceae, Phormidiaceae, and Nostocaceae. The study also identified potentially novel species of Chroococcidiopsis, Gloeocapsopsis, and Wilmottia through 16S rRNA gene analysis. Despite niche-specific adaptations influenced by microenvironmental factors, the findings highlight interrelations between endolithic communities and surrounding BSCs in certain regions, with subregional differences observed only in cyanobacterial community structures from BSCs.

Khomutovska, N., de los Ríos, A., Syczewski, M. D., & Jasser, I. (2021). Connectivity of Edaphic and Endolithic Microbial Niches in Cold Mountain Desert of Eastern Pamir (Tajikistan). Biology, 10(4), 314. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10040314