Prokaryotic community structure in photosynthetic biofilms from extreme acidic streams, Río Tinto (SW, Spain)

Authors

  • Virginia Souza-Egipsy Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)
  • Elena González-Toril Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)
  • Erik Zettler Sea Education Association; Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid
  • Linda Amaral-Zettler Marine Biological Laboratory
  • Angeles Aguilera Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)
  • Ricardo Amils Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC); Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Keywords:

16S rRNA, FISH, SEM, Biofilms, Acidic

Abstract

Four algal photosynthetic biofilms were collected from the Río Tinto (SW Spain) at four localities: AG, Euglena and Pinnularia biofilms; ANG, Chlorella and Pinnularia biofilms; RI, Cyanidium and Dunaliella biofilms; and CEM, Cyanidium, Euglena and Pinnularia biofilms. Community composition and structure were studied by a polyphasic approach consisting of 16S rRNA analysis, scanning electron microscopy by back-scattered electron detection mode (SEM-BSE), and fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Acidophilic prokaryotes associated with algal photosynthetic biofilms included sequences related to the Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria (phylum Proteobacteria) and to the phyla Nitrospira, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Firmicutes. Sequences from the Archaea domain were also identified. No more than seven distinct lineages were detected in any biofilm, except for those from RI, which contained fewer groups of Bacteria. Prokaryotic communities of the thinnest algal photosynthetic biofilms (<100 μm) were more related to those in the water column, including Leptospirillum populations. In general, thick biofilms (>200 μm) generate microniches that could facilitate the development of less-adapted microorganisms (coming from the surrounding environment) to extreme conditions, thus resulting in a more diverse prokaryotic biofilm. [Int Microbiol 2008; 11(4):251-260]

Author Biographies

Virginia Souza-Egipsy, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

Elena González-Toril, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

Erik Zettler, Sea Education Association; Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Sea Education Association; Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Linda Amaral-Zettler, Marine Biological Laboratory

Marine Biological Laboratory

Angeles Aguilera, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC)

Ricardo Amils, Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC); Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC); Centro de Biología Molecular (UAM-CSIC). Universidad Autonoma de Madrid

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Published

2010-09-21

Issue

Section

Research Articles