Abstract
Microbial mats on arid tropical coasts are complex interactive systems supported by oxygenic photosynthesis of cyanobacteria. The coccoid cyanobacterium Entophysalis major is recognized as one of the principal mat-forming microorganisms, which settles early in the lower intertidal ranges of wave-protected coasts, where it stabilizes sediment and forms organosedimentary platforms over large areas. It invades tidal creeks and modifies the drainage of tidal waters. The environmental invasiveness of Entophysalis is enhanced by copious production of hydrated extracellular polymers, also determining the pustular appearance of the mat surface. The environmental conditions are thereby changed at different scales and prepared for a succession of other mat-forming organisms: Schizothrix, forming pinnacle mats on drained surfaces and Microcoleus, forming flat mats in waterlogged depressions. In mid-tidal regions, these organisms are rearranged at a finer scale in response to changes introduced by extended exposure and water loss during low tides. In wave-exposed coasts, Entophysalis mats participate in the formation of intertidal stromatolites, while interacting with erosional events. Examples are taken from the coasts of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Shark Bay, Western Australia. Entophysalis morphotype and its participation in stromatolite formation have a long geological history. Its ancient counterpart Eoentophysalis belcherensis has been constructing stromatolites over 2,000 My ago.
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Golubic, S., Abed, R.M.M. (2010). Entophysalis Mats as Environmental Regulators. In: Seckbach, J., Oren, A. (eds) Microbial Mats. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology, vol 14. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3799-2_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3799-2_12
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