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Science 7 June 1974:
Vol. 184. no. 4141, pp. 1083 - 1085
DOI: 10.1126/science.184.4141.1083
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Articles

Bacterial Stromatolites: Origin of Laminations

William N. Doemel 1 and Thomas D. Brock 1

1 Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

Laminated mats composed of motile filamentous photosynthetic bacteria and nonmotile unicellular blue-green algae occur in a large number of Yellowstone hot springs at temperatures between 55° and 70°C. Field studies indicate that the bacteria are the predominant mat-forming component. Under low light intensities, mats composed exclusively of bacteria can be formed. The bacteria undergo a diurnal migration, moving on top of the algae dnring the night and becolming mixed again with the algae during the day of differential migration of the bacteria in daily response to reduced light intensities. This response to light is exactly opposite to that previously reported for filamentous stromatolite-forming, blue-green algae, but the net result is the same—formation of a laminated mat.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Composition and Structure of Microbial Communities from Stromatolites of Hamelin Pool in Shark Bay, Western Australia.
D. Papineau, J. J. Walker, S. J. Mojzsis, and N. R. Pace (2005)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 71, 4822-4832
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Taphonomic Control on Microstructure in Early Neoproterozoic Reefal Stromatolites and Thrombolites.
(2000)
Palaios 15, 87-111
Actively growing siliceous oncoids in the Waiotapu geothermal area, North Island, New Zealand.
B. JONES, R. W. RENAUT, and M. R. ROSEN (1999)
Journal of the Geological Society 156, 89-103
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)