Cyanobacteria in the splash zone of the Veruda and Ugljan islands, Croatia

Cyanobacterial communities of the splash zone of two Croatian islands, Veruda and Ugljan, were surveyed on 16 localities both in horizontal and vertical directions. In 336 samples 42 cyanobacterial species, 1 green alga, and 1 red alga were found. On both islands Hyella spp. and Gloeocapsopsis crepidinum dominated. Solentia spp., Kyrtuthrix dalmatica, and Mastigocoleus testarum were also found frequently. According to statistical analyses 3 horizontal parts of the splash zone were shown to host different cyanobacterial communities. In the horizontal direction there were no statistical differences among sampling points; however, for uncovering the whole cyanobacterial diversity more samples from various distances are necessary. The species diversity and distribution were not dependent on the orientation of the locality toward cardinal points