Living Dendrolitic Microbial Mats in Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia

Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay, Western Australia, hosts the largest and most diverse living marine stromatolites, including seasonally ephemeral dendrolitic microbial mats. These modern structures, dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria like Lyngbya aestuarii, form shrub-like morphologies with thick 'trunks' and finer 'branches,' providing a rare opportunity to study dendrolite formation in real time. The research, conducted through an intensive field program, reveals the complex interplay between microbial communities and environmental factors, offering new insights into ancient microbialite structures preserved in the rock record.

Suosaari, E. P., Awramik, S. M., Reid, R. P., Stolz, J. F., & Grey, K. (2018). Living Dendrolitic Microbial Mats in Hamelin Pool, Shark Bay, Western Australia. Geosciences, 8(6), 212. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8060212