CYANOBACTERIA FROM TWO PREHISTORIC CAVES OF INDIA

摘要

Caves are generally considered to be aphotic habitat. However, several photosynthic microorganisms including cyanobacteria are frequently observed in many caves through out the world, and are dominant in the less illuminated zones (Hofmann 1989, Pantazidou 1998, Dor & Dor 1999). Nothing is known about the composition of cyanobacteria in pre-historic caves of India. The present paper reports epilithic and chasmoendolithic cyanobacteria growing in natural and / or artificial lighted parts of Kotumsar cave (Chattisgarh) and Gupteswar cave (Orissa). Both the caves are terrestrial, open to the public, and bear a rich stalactitic and stalagmitic decoration. The later cave has been developed for tourism; the interior has been illuminated for visiting purpose, thus encourage the growth of blackish crust of phototrophic microorganisms. Samples were collected from the cave entrance, twilight zone and darkened zone of these caves for occurrence of micro-algal and cyanobacterial forms, if any.