Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2026

Simulation of Early Earth Hydrothermal Chimneys in a Thermal Gradient Environment
Published on: February 27, 2021
Endolithic photosynthetic communities within ancient and recent travertine deposits in Yellowstone National Park
Tracy B Norris1, Richard W Castenholz
1Center for Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA. tbnorris@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Molecular and culture based methods were used to survey endolithic, photosynthetic communities from hot spring-formed travertine rocks of various ages, ranging from<10 to greater than 300,000 years. Much of this travertine contained a 1-3-mm-thick greenish band composed mainly of cyanobacteria 1-5 mm below the rock surface. The travertine rocks experienced desiccation in summer and freezing in winter. A total of 83 environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from clone libraries and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. Small subunit rRNA gene sequences and cell morphology were determined for 36 cyanobacterial culture isolates from these samples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 16S rRNA gene sequences fell into 15 distinct clusters, including several novel lineages of cyanobacteria.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria
Hyperthermophilic Bacteria
Diversity of Archaea III
Green Algae
The Winogradsky Column
Microbial Mats

