Preliminary data about algae and cyanobacteria of volcanic soils on Kuril islands
K. V. Ilchibaeva, D. F. Kunsbaeva, R. Z. Allaguvatova, A. I. Fazlutdinova, O. V. Polokhin, L. A. Sibirina, A. A. Gontcharov, P. Singh, L. A. Gaysina
Section: Population ecology
Fifty-five species from five phyla (Cyanobacteria – 8, Chlorophyta – 29 (Chlorophyceae – 14, Trebouxiophyaceae
– 11), Bacillariophyta – 19, Streptophyta – 1, Ochrophyta – 2 (Xanthophyceae – 1, Eustigmatophyceae – 1)) were revealed
during the study on biodiversity of cyanobacteria and algae from terrestrial habitats of Urup, Paramushir, Iturup,
and Simushir (Kuril Islands). Algal flora of Iturup Islands was the most divers with 25 species, 23 species were found
on Urup, 17 on Simushir, and 14 on Paramushir Islands. Number of species per sample decreased from Urup (3.6) to
Simushir (2.1), Paramushir (2.0) and Iturup (1.9). Five species, cf. Mychonastes homosphaera, Chlorella vulgaris, Dic�
tyococcus varians, Bracteacoccus minor, and Desmodesmus abundans were encountered on each of the island. In the same
time species composition of cyanobacteria and algae on each island was specific and reflected ecological peculiarities of
the habitats. The most notable feature of algal and cyanobacterial flora of studied islands was prevalence of cosmopolitan
species tolerant to toxic volcanic substrates. Besides, this territory was characterized by high diversity of amphibian
diatom algae. For understanding biodiversity of terrestrial algae and cyanobacteria of Kuril islands further moleculargenetic
research are necessary.