Dissertation committee:
Πανταζίδου Αδριανή Αναπλ. Καθηγ. (Επιβλέπουσα), Οικονόμου-Αμίλλη Αθηνά Καθηγ., Αντωνοπούλου Σμαραγδή Καθηγ.
Summary:
In the present doctoral thesis, Cyanobacteria from three distant Greek caves
“Kastria”, Francthi” and “Selinitsa” located in Peloponnese, were examined with
emphasis on their taxonomy and ecology. Sampling was conducted seasonally at
each cave and at selected sites (1-7). The following environmental parameters
were measured during the whole survey and at each sampling site:
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), Air Temperature (Τ), and Relative
Humidity (RH).
For resolving taxonomic problems or for establishing new taxonomic entities,
the combined use of traditional methods (optical and electron microscopy) and
16S rRNA analysis were applied.
The total lipids from selected species were extracted and then separated into
polar and neutral. The polar lipids were further fractioned and their bands
were screened for antibacterial activity.
SUMMARY OF THE MAIN RESULTS
•Identification of 156 taxa (39 genera, 115 species)
•Establishment of two new monospecific genera (Iphinoe spelaeobios, Toxopsis
calypsus)
•Description of one new species (Phormidium melanochroun)
•49 taxa as new records from Greece
•8 taxa representing the 2nd record worldwide
•Distinct differentiation of the caves in terms of the cyanobacterial
communities
•Variations in species composition could be attributed to abiotic factors such
as cave morphology, water viability, and nature of the substratum.
•Both taxa Toxopsis calypsus and Phormidium melanochroun showed antibacterial
activity against Gram+ bacteria –None of them showed activity against Gram-
bacteria –In Phormidium melanochroun one band of polar lipids showed activity
against methanol –Toxopsis calypsus showed better antibacterial activity.
Keywords:
Cyanobacteria, Taxonomy, Ecology, Caves, Antibacterial screening
