[Interaction of halobacteria and cyanobacteria in a halophilic cyanobacterial community]

From cyanobacterial mat, 36 strains of extremely halophilic archaebacteria were isolated. Basing on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, two frequently occurring organisms among these strains were identified as Haloarcula japonica and Halobacterium distributum. Metabiotic interaction between halophilic Archaea and Microcoleus chthonoplastes, the primary organic matter producer, was demonstrated. It was shown that M. chthonoplastes secretes acids of tricarboxylic acid cycle into the medium and these are utilized by ecrysotrophic halobacteria. The obtained results suggest that extreme halophiles should be regarded as ecologically significant components of cyanobacterial communities.