Diversity and Composition of Snow Algal Communities in Montana and Wyoming

Abstract

Snow algae are unique psychrophilic organisms exhibiting red pigmentation, most commonly found in high-alpine environments. These extremophiles lower the albedo of snow and increase the rate of snowmelt, exacerbating the influence of global warming on snowfields and glaciers. At the same time, reduced habitat places the biodiversity of snow algae communities at risk, making snow algae a significant topic of interest in both environmental and ecological disciplines. However, the factors that influence the composition and diversity of red snow microbiomes are not yet fully understood. In this study, the prokaryotic makeup of snow algal communities in Montana (Gravelly Mountain Range) and Wyoming (Beartooth Mountain Range) was explored in the summer of 2024 to assess community-level differences. Both pink and white snow samples were collected to compare snow with and without blooms, and microscopy was utilized to analyze the samples qualitatively. Based on previous studies, it was hypothesized that the prokaryotic composition of snow algal communities would differ among locations and that the stage of development would influence the composition. Here, the results on the community composition patterns are presented. Sequence reads associated with the bacterial phylum Rhodothermota were found in high abundance in Beartooth Mountain Range samples, while the phylum Pseudomonatoda was most abundant in Gravelly Range samples. This study represents the first investigation into the prokaryotic composition of snow algal communities in Montana, providing information that can be used in future studies of snow algal communities and incorporated into climate models