Study of endemic algae of Lake Baikal

Study of endemic algae of Lake Baikal

June 2023 – December 2024

Lake Baikal is home to many species that are found nowhere else in nature. Among green algae such endemics are more than half of the total number: 52,2%. These algae play an important role in the functioning of Baikal’s phytobenthos (a set of plant organisms living at the bottom of the lake).

However, it is extremely difficult to study them – Draparnaldioides, Ireksokonia and Myxonemopsis cannot be cultivated and maintained in artificial, laboratory conditions for a long time.  It is still unknown to science how these algae evolved.

In 2023, the Baikal Museum of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences presented a project to study algae of the genera Draparnaldioides, Ireksokonia and Myxonemopsis. The scientists set themselves the task of studying phylogenetic relationships and reconstructing the ‘family tree’ of algae, as well as expanding information on these Baikal endemics and adding to the world databases on algae.

The Lake Baikal Foundation supported the project as part of the grant programme for the conservation of rare, endangered and endemic species of the Baikal Natural Area.

Goal:

To study endemic and hard to find green algae of Baikal, their evolution and relatedness.

What was done:

  • About 70 samples of endemic green algae of Lake Baikal Draparnaldioides, Ireksokonia, Myxonemopsis, and Chaetophora, Chaetophoropsis were collected during the period of work, their DNA extraction was carried out. Morphological identification of selected specimens was carried out on wet and herbarised specimens. Draparnaldioides specimens became a part of the permanent exposition in the Baikal Museum (“The Living World of Baikal under the microscope”).
  • An experiment was made – scientists made an attempt to preserve algae of the genus Draparnaldioides in the conditions of a unique aquarium complex on the basis of the Baikal Museum of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
  • Using molecular genetic analysis the taxonomic status of 4 species of Draparnaldioides was confirmed and evidence of existence of one more type (Olkhon mophotype) was obtained.
  • Bioinformatic analysis of the obtained data was carried out.
  • Information on Baikal endemic algae was entered into the international algae database AlgaeBase.

In December 2024, it is planned to prepare popular science lectures on Baikal algae and develop souvenir products with Baikal algae. The Baikal Museum will continue research on endemics – based on molecular genetic data, work on reconstruction of the evolutionary history of Baikal endemic genera of cheetophorous algae will continue.

The results obtained will contribute to understanding the mechanisms of formation of the endemic Baikal flora and to enriching international databases with information on macrophytes that play an important role in the Baikal ecosystem.

Algae sampling

Publications

Endemic algae and plants will be studied on Baikal, Vostok Teleinform, 19.07.2023

Scientists received grants to study Baikal endemic algae, Baikalinform, 20.07.2023.

Evolution of Baikal algae: how the Foundation supported the project of Baikal Museum, The Lake Baikal Foundation, 25.04.2024

What lies in the DNA of Baikal endemic algae – research of Baikal Museum SB RAS supported by the Lake Baikal Foundation, The Lake Baikal Foundation, 30.04.2024



Biodiversity Conservation