Connectivity of Edaphic and Endolithic Microbial Niches in Cold Mountain Desert of Eastern Pamir (Tajikistan)

Microbial communities found in arid environments are commonly represented by biological soil crusts (BSCs) and endolithic assemblages. There is still limited knowledge concerning endoliths BSCs occurring the cold mountain desert of Pamir. The aim study was to investigate composition structure bacterial comparison surrounding three subregions Eastern Pamir (Tajikistan). BSC were studied using culture-independent culture-dependent techniques. can be characterized as Actinobacteria–Proteobacteria–Bacteroidetes–Chloroflexi–Cyanobacteria, while BSCs’ described Proteobacteria–Actinobacteria–Bacteroidetes–Cyanobacteria assemblages with low representation other bacteria. cyanobacterial high percentage Chroococcidiopsaceae, Nodosilineaceae, Nostocaceae Thermosynechococcaceae, dominated Phormidiaceae Nostocaceae. analysis 16S rRNA genes cultures revealed presence possibly novel species Chroococcidiopsis, Gloeocapsopsis Wilmottia. Despite niches’ specificity, which related influence microenvironment factors on communities, our results illustrate interrelation between some regions. from only one demonstrate subregional differences.