Abstract:
The sites of the first detailed account of Cyanophyta in the Ross Sea Region (West and West, 1911) collected by Shackleton's 1907-09 expedition were revisited and detailed descriptions of Oscillatoriaceae (the most abundant family of Cyanophyta) occurring in abundance as thick felts covering the bottom of ponds, lakes and streams were recorded. Samples were collected for culturing studies from pond, stream and soil habitats at Cape Royds and in the Garwood Valley. Illustrations were made of representative specimens of all taxa encountered and measurements of the widths of large numbers of trichomes were made. Environmental data was collected and included pH, water conductivity and water temperature.
Description:
The algae culture collection is stored in a -20 freezer at the Molecular Laboratory and Allan Herbarium at Landcare Research, New Zealand. It is unknown what cultures are still viable and what species are available. The lab has PC2 containment and transfers have to be done according to Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) protocol. Contact Phil Novis: NovisP@landcareresearch.co.nz for more information.
Quality
The data is well described and documented in the publications. Some cultures may still exist and are held by Landcare Research, New Zealand. The quality of these cultures is unknown. Field notebooks, diaries, etc are retained by the investigator.
Access Constraints
If the cultures are wanted to be transeferred from Landcare Research, the receiving lab needs to have the necessary containment certification (i.e. PC2 containment) and transfers have to be done according to MAF protocol. Otherwise the work needs to be done in the Landcare Research Molecular lab.
Broady, P.A. Kibblewhite, A.L. Morphological characteristics of Oscillatoriales (Cyanobacteria) from Ross Island and southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Antarctic science 3(1): 35-45, 1991.
Broady, P.A. Diversity, distribution and dispersal of Antarctic terrestrial algae. Biodiversity and conservation 5(11): 1307-1335, 1996.
Broady, P.A. The distribution of terrestrial and hydro-terrestrial algal associations at three contrasting locations in southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Algological studies 118: 95-112, 2005.
