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Valdez S, de la Vega FV, Pairazaman O, Castellanos R, Esparza M. Hyperthermophile diversity microbes in the Calientes geothermal field, Tacna, Peru. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:2927-2937. [PMID: 37801222 PMCID: PMC10689642 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01117-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperthermophile microorganisms have been discovered worldwide, and several studies regarding biodiversity and the potential biotechnological applications have been reported. In this work, we describe for the first time the diversity of hyperthermophile communities in the Calientes Geothermal Field (CGF) located 4400 m above sea level in Tacna Region, Perú. Three hot springs were monitored and showed a temperature around 84 to 88 °C, for the microbiome analyzed was taken by sampling of sediment and water (pH 7.3-7.6). The hyperthermophile diversity was determined by PCR, DGGE, and DNA sequencing. The sediments analyzed showed a greater diversity than water samples. Sediments showed a more abundant population of bacteria than archaea, with the presence of at least 9 and 5 phylotypes, respectively. Most interestingly, in some taxa of bacteria (Bacillus) and archaea (Haloarcula and Halalkalicoccus), any of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) have not been observed before in hyperthermophile environments. Our results provide insight in the hyperthermophile diversity and reveal the possibility to develop new biotechnological applications based on the kind of environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Valdez
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann, Tacna, Perú
| | - Fabián Veliz de la Vega
- Escuela de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaiso-Chile Av. Brasil 2085, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Omar Pairazaman
- Laboratorio Regional de Salud Pública (Diresa), Cajamarca, Perú
| | - Roberto Castellanos
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann, Tacna, Perú
| | - Mario Esparza
- Universidad Privada Antenor Orrego, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Laboratorio de Genética, Reproducción y Biología Molecular, Trujillo, Perú
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2
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Wei XY, Zhu HY, Song L, Zhang RP, Li AH, Niu QH, Liu XZ, Bai FY. Yeast Diversity in the Qaidam Basin Desert in China with the Description of Five New Yeast Species. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8080858. [PMID: 36012846 PMCID: PMC9409814 DOI: 10.3390/jof8080858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The Qaidam Basin is the highest and one of the largest and driest deserts on Earth. It is considered a mars analog area in China. In contrast to numerous studies concerning its geology, geophysical, and chemistry, relatively few studies have reported microbial diversity and distribution in this area. Here, we investigated culturable yeast diversity in the northeast Qaidam Basin. A total of 194 yeast strains were isolated, and 12 genera and 21 species were identified, among which 19 were basidiomycetous yeasts. Naganishia albida, N. adeliensis, and Filobasidium magnum were the three most dominant species and were distributed in thirteen samples from eight locations. Five new species (Filobasidium chaidanensis, Kondoa globosum, Symmetrospora salmoneus, Teunia nitrariae, and Vishniacozyma pseudodimennae) were found and described based on ITS and D1D2 gene loci together with phenotypic characteristics and physiochemical analysis. Representative strains from each species were chosen for the salt-tolerant test, in which species showed different responses to different levels of NaCl concentrations. Further, the strain from soil can adapt well to the higher salt stress compared to those from plants or lichens. Our study represents the first report of the yeast diversity in the Qaidam Basin, including five new species, and also provides further information on the halotolerance of yeasts from the saline environment in mars analog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Yang Wei
- College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang 473061, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hai-Yan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 (A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Song
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Ri-Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.19 (A) Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ai-Hua Li
- China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qiu-Hong Niu
- College of Life Science and Agricultural Engineering, Nanyang Normal University, 1638 Wolong Road, Nanyang 473061, China
| | - Xin-Zhan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Correspondence: (X.-Z.L.); (F.-Y.B.)
| | - Feng-Yan Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Correspondence: (X.-Z.L.); (F.-Y.B.)
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3
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Prescott RD, Zamkovaya T, Donachie SP, Northup DE, Medley JJ, Monsalve N, Saw JH, Decho AW, Chain PSG, Boston PJ. Islands Within Islands: Bacterial Phylogenetic Structure and Consortia in Hawaiian Lava Caves and Fumaroles. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:934708. [PMID: 35935195 PMCID: PMC9349362 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.934708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lava caves, tubes, and fumaroles in Hawai‘i present a range of volcanic, oligotrophic environments from different lava flows and host unexpectedly high levels of bacterial diversity. These features provide an opportunity to study the ecological drivers that structure bacterial community diversity and assemblies in volcanic ecosystems and compare the older, more stable environments of lava tubes, to the more variable and extreme conditions of younger, geothermally active caves and fumaroles. Using 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing methods, we investigated the phylogenetic distinctness and diversity and identified microbial interactions and consortia through co-occurrence networks in 70 samples from lava tubes, geothermal lava caves, and fumaroles on the island of Hawai‘i. Our data illustrate that lava caves and geothermal sites harbor unique microbial communities, with very little overlap between caves or sites. We also found that older lava tubes (500–800 yrs old) hosted greater phylogenetic diversity (Faith's PD) than sites that were either geothermally active or younger (<400 yrs old). Geothermally active sites had a greater number of interactions and complexity than lava tubes. Average phylogenetic distinctness, a measure of the phylogenetic relatedness of a community, was higher than would be expected if communities were structured at random. This suggests that bacterial communities of Hawaiian volcanic environments are phylogenetically over-dispersed and that competitive exclusion is the main driver in structuring these communities. This was supported by network analyses that found that taxa (Class level) co-occurred with more distantly related organisms than close relatives, particularly in geothermal sites. Network “hubs” (taxa of potentially higher ecological importance) were not the most abundant taxa in either geothermal sites or lava tubes and were identified as unknown families or genera of the phyla, Chloroflexi and Acidobacteria. These results highlight the need for further study on the ecological role of microbes in caves through targeted culturing methods, metagenomics, and long-read sequence technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca D. Prescott
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
- *Correspondence: Rebecca D. Prescott
| | - Tatyana Zamkovaya
- Department of Microbiology and Cell Science, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Stuart P. Donachie
- School of Life Sciences, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, United States
| | - Diana E. Northup
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Joseph J. Medley
- Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Natalia Monsalve
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Jimmy H. Saw
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Alan W. Decho
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | - Patrick S. G. Chain
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM, United States
| | - Penelope J. Boston
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
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Velázquez-Ríos IO, Rincón-Rosales R, Gutiérrez-Miceli FA, Alcántara-Hernández RJ, Ruíz-Valdiviezo VM. Prokaryotic diversity across a pH gradient in the “El Chichón” crater-lake: a naturally thermo-acidic environment. Extremophiles 2022; 26:8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00792-022-01257-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Ryan CH, Daly MG, Brady AL, Slater GF, Lim DSS. Organic Material Distribution in Mars-Analog Volcanic Rocks, as Determined with Ultraviolet Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy. ASTROBIOLOGY 2021; 21:981-996. [PMID: 34406806 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2020.2379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the distribution of trace organic material in a rocky environment is a key to constraining the material requirements for sustaining microbial life. We used an ultraviolet laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy instrument to characterize the distribution of organic biosignatures in basalts collected from two Mars-analog environments. We correlated the fluorescence results with alteration-related sample properties. These samples exhibit a range of alteration conditions found in the volcanic environments of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai'i (HI), and Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho (ID), including fumarolic systems. LIF mapping of the sample surfaces and interiors showed a heterogeneous distribution of areas of highly fluorescent material (point[s]-of-interest [POIs])-with fluorescence characteristics indicative of organic material. Results suggest that POIs are associated with secondary alteration mineral deposits in the rock's vesicles, including zeolites and calcite. Scanning electron microscopy with electron-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to characterize the mineralogy present at POIs and support the evidence of carbon-bearing material. Overall, samples collected proximate to active or relict meteoric fumaroles from Hawai'i were shown to contain evidence for organic deposits. This suggests that these minerals are measurable spectroscopic targets that may be used to inform sample-site selection for astrobiology research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catheryn H Ryan
- Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Michael G Daly
- Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Allyson L Brady
- School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Greg F Slater
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
| | - Darlene S S Lim
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, USA
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6
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Brenes-Guillén L, Vidaurre-Barahona D, Morales S, Mora-López M, Sittenfeld A, Uribe-Lorío L. Novel Cyanobacterial Diversity Found in Costa Rican Thermal Springs Associated with Rincon de la Vieja and Miravalles Volcanoes: A Polyphasic Approach. JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY 2021; 57:183-198. [PMID: 33000870 DOI: 10.1111/jpy.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Central America is one of the most important biodiversity hot spots in the world, and Costa Rican microbial communities from thermal springs are the best characterized in the isthmus. Miravalles is an inactive quaternary stratovolcano, and the Rincón de la Vieja is a unique active volcano, in whose slopes diverse hydrothermal springs, such as Las Lilas, are located. These springs harbor extensive microbial mats, whose diversity has been studied. Based on their importance as primary producers, in this study we focused on cultured cyanobacterial diversity from two geothermal environments of northern Costa Rica. Several cultural, molecular and taxonomic techniques were employed to maximize the results of a polyphasic approach. Sample collection sites were physicochemically described, and strains were isolated and characterized by light and electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequences and amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). Fifty-six phylotypes were isolated and classified into 21 morphotypes and identified in 14 genera, some of them might be new species within these genera. Furthermore, according to phylogenetic analysis, there are three possible new genera in our collection. Miravalles and Las Lilas thermal springs are reservoirs of novel phylogeographic lineages of phototrophic microorganisms. This study is the first report of strains that belong to the genera Gloeocapsa, Stanieria, Microseira, Klisinema and Oculatella isolated from thermal springs and growing at temperatures above 50°C. We also obtained isolates assigned to Synechococcus, Leptolyngbya spp., and Fischerella, which are considered typical strains in these environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Brenes-Guillén
- Molecular and Biology Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Saylen Morales
- Molecular and Biology Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Marielos Mora-López
- Molecular and Biology Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Ana Sittenfeld
- Molecular and Biology Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Lorena Uribe-Lorío
- Molecular and Biology Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
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7
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Rojas-Gätjens D, Arce-Rodríguez A, Puente-Sánchez F, Avendaño R, Libby E, Mora-Amador R, Rojas-Jimenez K, Fuentes-Schweizer P, Pieper DH, Chavarría M. Temperature and elemental sulfur shape microbial communities in two extremely acidic aquatic volcanic environments. Extremophiles 2021; 25:85-99. [PMID: 33416983 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-020-01213-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic environments of volcanic origin provide an exceptional opportunity to study the adaptations of microorganisms to early planet life conditions. Here, we characterized the prokaryotic communities and physicochemical properties of seepage sites at the bottom of the Poas Volcano crater and the Agrio River, two geologically related extremely acidic environments located in Costa Rica. Both locations hold a low pH (1.79-2.20) and have high sulfate and iron concentrations (Fe = 47-206 mg/L, SO42- = 1170-2460 mg/L), but significant differences in their temperature (90.0-95.0 ºC in the seepages at Poas Volcano, 19.1-26.6 ºC in Agrio River) and in the elemental sulfur content. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences, we determined that Sulfobacillus spp. represented more than half of the sequences in Poas Volcano seepage sites, while Agrio River was dominated by Leptospirillum and members of the archaeal order Thermoplasmatales. Both environments share some chemical characteristics and part of their microbiota, however, the temperature and the reduced sulfur are likely the main distinguishing features, ultimately shaping their microbial communities. Our data suggest that in the Poas Volcano-Agrio River system there is a common metabolism but with specialization of species that adapt to the physicochemical conditions of each environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Rojas-Gätjens
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José, 1174-1200, Costa Rica
| | - Alejandro Arce-Rodríguez
- Microbial Interactions and Processes Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany.,Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Fernando Puente-Sánchez
- Systems Biology Program, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC), C/Darwin 3, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Avendaño
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José, 1174-1200, Costa Rica
| | - Eduardo Libby
- Escuela de Química, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Raúl Mora-Amador
- Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica.,Laboratorio de Ecología Urbana, Universidad Estatal a Distancia, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Keilor Rojas-Jimenez
- Escuela de Biología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Paola Fuentes-Schweizer
- Escuela de Química, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica.,Centro de Investigación en Electroquímica y Energía Química (CELEQ), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Dietmar H Pieper
- Microbial Interactions and Processes Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Max Chavarría
- Centro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas (CENIBiot), CeNAT-CONARE, San José, 1174-1200, Costa Rica. .,Escuela de Química, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica. .,Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
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8
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Aszalós JM, Szabó A, Felföldi T, Jurecska L, Nagy B, Borsodi AK. Effects of Active Volcanism on Bacterial Communities in the Highest-Altitude Crater Lake of Ojos del Salado (Dry Andes, Altiplano-Atacama Region). ASTROBIOLOGY 2020; 20:741-753. [PMID: 32525737 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Periglacial and volcanic environments are considered terrestrial analogs of Mars with regard to astrobiological characteristics due to their specific set of extreme features. Ojos del Salado, the highest volcano on Earth (6893 m a.s.l.), is surrounded by several craters, one of which harbors the highest known altitude lake (6480 m a.s.l.), which is influenced by a rare combination of extreme environmental factors, that is, low mean temperature, permafrost, fumarolic activity, acidity, and extreme low organic matter content. To assess the genetic diversity and ecological tolerance of bacteria, samples were taken in February 2016 from the sediments covered with acidic cold (pH 4.88, 3.8°C) and warm (pH 2.08, 40.8°C) water. As a control, a nonvolcanic high-altitude lake (at 5900 m a.s.l.) was also studied by both cultivation-based and next-generation DNA sequencing methods. Isolates from the crater lake showed tolerance toward acidic pH values, unlike isolates from the nonvolcanic lake. Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene exposed simplified, although characteristically different, bacterial communities in the warm and cold water-saturated sediments. In the fumarolic creek sediments, acidophilic iron oxidizers (Ferrithrix, Gallionella) and iron reducers (Acidiphilium) were abundant, and bacteria involved in the sulfur oxidation (Hydrogenobaculum, Thiomonas) and reduction (Desulfosporosinus) were also detected. Therefore, we propose an integrated model that addresses the potential role of bacteria in the sulfur and iron geomicrobiological cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Attila Szabó
- Department of Microbiology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Felföldi
- Department of Microbiology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Laura Jurecska
- Department of Microbiology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Nagy
- Department of Physical Geography, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea K Borsodi
- Department of Microbiology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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9
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Uribe-Lorío L, Brenes-Guillén L, Hernández-Ascencio W, Mora-Amador R, González G, Ramírez-Umaña CJ, Díez B, Pedrós-Alió C. The influence of temperature and pH on bacterial community composition of microbial mats in hot springs from Costa Rica. Microbiologyopen 2019; 8:e893. [PMID: 31271524 PMCID: PMC6813449 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We used the 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing approach to investigate the microbial diversity and community composition in several Costa Rican hot springs alongside the latitudinal axis of the country, with a range of temperatures (37–63°C), pH (6–7.5) and other geochemical conditions. A principal component analyses of the physicochemical parameters showed the samples were separated into three geochemically distinct habitats associated with the location (North, Central, and South). Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi comprised 93% of the classified community, the former being the most abundant phylum in all samples except for Rocas Calientes 1, (63°C, pH 6), where Chloroflexi and Deinococcus‐Thermus represented 84% of the OTUs. Chloroflexi were more abundant as temperature increased. Proteobacteria, Bacteriodetes and Deinococcus‐Thermus comprised 5% of the OTUs represented. Other Phyla were present in very small percentages (<1%). A LINKTREE analysis showed that the community structure of the mats was shaped primarily by pH, separating samples with pH > 6.6 from samples with pH < 6.4. Thus, both pH and temperature were relevant for community composition even within the moderate ranges of variables studied. These results provide a basis for an understanding of the physicochemical influences in moderately thermophilic microbial mats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Uribe-Lorío
- Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM), Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Laura Brenes-Guillén
- Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM), Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Walter Hernández-Ascencio
- Centro de Investigación en Biología Celular y Molecular (CIBCM), Universidad de Costa Rica, Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Raúl Mora-Amador
- Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | - Gino González
- Escuela Centroamericana de Geología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica
| | | | - Beatriz Díez
- Departamento de Microbiología y Genética, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Carlos Pedrós-Alió
- Departamento de Biología de Sistemas, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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10
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Cavalazzi B, Barbieri R, Gómez F, Capaccioni B, Olsson-Francis K, Pondrelli M, Rossi A, Hickman-Lewis K, Agangi A, Gasparotto G, Glamoclija M, Ori G, Rodriguez N, Hagos M. The Dallol Geothermal Area, Northern Afar (Ethiopia)-An Exceptional Planetary Field Analog on Earth. ASTROBIOLOGY 2019; 19:553-578. [PMID: 30653331 PMCID: PMC6459281 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2018.1926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The Dallol volcano and its associated hydrothermal field are located in a remote area of the northern Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, a region only recently appraised after decades of inaccessibility due to severe political instability and the absence of infrastructure. The region is notable for hosting environments at the very edge of natural physical-chemical extremities. It is surrounded by a wide, hyperarid salt plain and is one of the hottest (average annual temperatureDallol: 36-38°C) and most acidic natural systems (pHDallol ≈0) on Earth. Spectacular geomorphologies and mineral deposits produced by supersaturated hydrothermal waters and brines are the result of complex interactions between active and inactive hydrothermal alteration of the bedrock, sulfuric hot springs and pools, fumaroles and geysers, and recrystallization processes driven by hydrothermal waters, degassing, and rapid evaporation. The study of planetary field analog environments plays a crucial role in characterizing the physical and chemical boundaries within which life can exist on Earth and other planets. It is essential for the definition and assessment of the conditions of habitability on other planets, including the possibility for biosignature preservation and in situ testing of technologies for life detection. The Dallol area represents an excellent Mars analog environment given that the active volcanic environment, the associated diffuse hydrothermalism and hydrothermal alteration, and the vast acidic sulfate deposits are reminiscent of past hydrothermal activity on Mars. The work presented in this paper is an overview of the Dallol volcanic area and its hydrothermal field that integrates previous literature with observations and results obtained from field surveys and monitoring coupled with sample characterization. In so doing, we highlight its exceptional potential as a planetary field analog as well as a site for future astrobiological and exploration programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. Cavalazzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Address correspondence to: Barbara Cavalazzi, Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali - BiGeA, Università di Bologna, Via Zamboni 67, I-40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - R. Barbieri
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - F. Gómez
- Centro de Astrobiologia and Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| | - B. Capaccioni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - K. Olsson-Francis
- School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
| | - M. Pondrelli
- Int'l Research School of Planetary Sciences, Università d'Annunzio, Chieti Scalo, Italy
| | | | - K. Hickman-Lewis
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- CNRS Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire, Orléans, France
| | - A. Agangi
- Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - G. Gasparotto
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - M. Glamoclija
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - G.G. Ori
- Int'l Research School of Planetary Sciences, Università d'Annunzio, Chieti Scalo, Italy
| | - N. Rodriguez
- Centro de Astrobiologia and Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain
| | - M. Hagos
- Department of Earth Sciences, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
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