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Williams TJ, Allen MA, Ray AE, Benaud N, Chelliah DS, Albanese D, Donati C, Selbmann L, Coleine C, Ferrari BC. Novel endolithic bacteria of phylum Chloroflexota reveal a myriad of potential survival strategies in the Antarctic desert. Appl Environ Microbiol 2024; 90:e0226423. [PMID: 38372512 PMCID: PMC10952385 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02264-23] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are dominated by nutrient-poor mineral soil and rocky outcrops. The principal habitat for microorganisms is within rocks (endolithic). In this environment, microorganisms are provided with protection against sub-zero temperatures, rapid thermal fluctuations, extreme dryness, and ultraviolet and solar radiation. Endolithic communities include lichen, algae, fungi, and a diverse array of bacteria. Chloroflexota is among the most abundant bacterial phyla present in these communities. Among the Chloroflexota are four novel classes of bacteria, here named Candidatus Spiritibacteria class. nov. (=UBA5177), Candidatus Martimicrobia class. nov. (=UBA4733), Candidatus Tarhunnaeia class. nov. (=UBA6077), and Candidatus Uliximicrobia class. nov. (=UBA2235). We retrieved 17 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) that represent these four classes. Based on genome predictions, all these bacteria are inferred to be aerobic heterotrophs that encode enzymes for the catabolism of diverse sugars. These and other organic substrates are likely derived from lichen, algae, and fungi, as metabolites (including photosynthate), cell wall components, and extracellular matrix components. The majority of MAGs encode the capacity for trace gas oxidation using high-affinity uptake hydrogenases, which could provide energy and metabolic water required for survival and persistence. Furthermore, some MAGs encode the capacity to couple the energy generated from H2 and CO oxidation to support carbon fixation (atmospheric chemosynthesis). All encode mechanisms for the detoxification and efflux of heavy metals. Certain MAGs encode features that indicate possible interactions with other organisms, such as Tc-type toxin complexes, hemolysins, and macroglobulins.IMPORTANCEThe ice-free McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica are the coldest and most hyperarid desert on Earth. It is, therefore, the closest analog to the surface of the planet Mars. Bacteria and other microorganisms survive by inhabiting airspaces within rocks (endolithic). We identify four novel classes of phylum Chloroflexota, and, based on interrogation of 17 metagenome-assembled genomes, we predict specific metabolic and physiological adaptations that facilitate the survival of these bacteria in this harsh environment-including oxidation of trace gases and the utilization of nutrients (including sugars) derived from lichen, algae, and fungi. We propose that such adaptations allow these endolithic bacteria to eke out an existence in this cold and extremely dry habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J Williams
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Michelle A Allen
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Angelique E Ray
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicole Benaud
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Devan S Chelliah
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Genova, Italy
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Belinda C Ferrari
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Savaglia V, Lambrechts S, Tytgat B, Vanhellemont Q, Elster J, Willems A, Wilmotte A, Verleyen E, Vyverman W. Geology defines microbiome structure and composition in nunataks and valleys of the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1316633. [PMID: 38380088 PMCID: PMC10877063 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1316633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the relation between terrestrial microorganisms and edaphic factors in the Antarctic can provide insights into their potential response to environmental changes. Here we examined the composition of bacterial and micro-eukaryotic communities using amplicon sequencing of rRNA genes in 105 soil samples from the Sør Rondane Mountains (East Antarctica), differing in bedrock or substrate type and associated physicochemical conditions. Although the two most widespread taxa (Acidobacteriota and Chlorophyta) were relatively abundant in each sample, multivariate analysis and co-occurrence networks revealed pronounced differences in community structure depending on substrate type. In moraine substrates, Actinomycetota and Cercozoa were the most abundant bacterial and eukaryotic phyla, whereas on gneiss, granite and marble substrates, Cyanobacteriota and Metazoa were the dominant bacterial and eukaryotic taxa. However, at lower taxonomic level, a distinct differentiation was observed within the Cyanobacteriota phylum depending on substrate type, with granite being dominated by the Nostocaceae family and marble by the Chroococcidiopsaceae family. Surprisingly, metazoans were relatively abundant according to the 18S rRNA dataset, even in samples from the most arid sites, such as moraines in Austkampane and Widerøefjellet ("Dry Valley"). Overall, our study shows that different substrate types support distinct microbial communities, and that mineral soil diversity is a major determinant of terrestrial microbial diversity in inland Antarctic nunataks and valleys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Savaglia
- InBioS Research Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sam Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Josef Elster
- Faculty of Science, Centre for Polar Ecology, University of South Bohemia České Budějovice and Institute of Botany, Třeboň, Czechia
| | - Anne Willems
- Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annick Wilmotte
- InBioS Research Unit, Department of Life Sciences, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Vyverman
- Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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3
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Liu L, Chen Y, Shen J, Pan Y, Lin W. Metabolic versatility of soil microbial communities below the rocks of the hyperarid Dalangtan Playa. Appl Environ Microbiol 2023; 89:e0107223. [PMID: 37902391 PMCID: PMC10686078 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01072-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE The hyperarid Dalangtan Playa in the western Qaidam Basin, northwestern China, is a unique terrestrial analog of Mars. Despite the polyextreme environments of this area, habitats below translucent rocks capable of environmental buffering could serve as refuges for microbial life. In this study, the hybrid assembly of Illumina short reads and Nanopore long reads recovered high-quality and high-continuity genomes, allowing for high-accuracy analysis and a deeper understanding of extremophiles in the sheltered soils of the Dalangtan Playa. Our findings reveal self-supporting and metabolically versatile sheltered soil communities adapted to a hyperarid and hypersaline playa, which provides implications for the search for life signals on Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxun Shen
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongxin Pan
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- College of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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4
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Larsen S, Coleine C, Albanese D, Stegen JC, Selbmann L, Donati C. Geology and elevation shape bacterial assembly in Antarctic endolithic communities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 907:168050. [PMID: 39491194 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2024]
Abstract
Ice free areas of continental Antarctica are among the coldest and driest environments on Earth, and yet, they support surprisingly diverse and highly adapted microbial communities. Endolithic growth is one of the key adaptations to such extreme environments and often represents the dominant life-form. Despite growing scientific interest, little is known of the mechanisms that influence the assembly of endolithic microbiomes across these harsh environments. Here, we used metagenomics to examine the diversity and assembly of endolithic bacterial communities across Antarctica within different rock types and over a large elevation range. While granite supported richer and more heterogeneous communities than sandstone, elevation had no apparent effect on taxonomic richness, regardless of rock type. Conversely, elevation was clearly associated with turnover in community composition, with the deterministic process of variable selection driving microbial assembly along the elevation gradient. The turnover associated with elevation was modulated by geology, whereby for a given elevation difference, turnover was consistently larger between communities inhabiting different rock types. Overall, selection imposed by elevation and geology appeared stronger than turnover related to other spatially-structured environmental drivers. Our findings indicate that at the cold-arid limit of life on Earth, geology and elevation are key determinants of endolithic bacterial heterogeneity. This also suggests that warming temperatures may threaten the persistence of such extreme-adapted organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Larsen
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
| | - James C Stegen
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy; Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Genoa, Italy
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all'Adige, Italy
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5
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Ettinger CL, Saunders M, Selbmann L, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Donati C, Albanese D, Roux S, Tringe S, Pennacchio C, Del Rio TG, Stajich JE, Coleine C. Highly diverse and unknown viruses may enhance Antarctic endoliths' adaptability. MICROBIOME 2023; 11:103. [PMID: 37158954 PMCID: PMC10165816 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-023-01554-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rock-dwelling microorganisms are key players in ecosystem functioning of Antarctic ice free-areas. Yet, little is known about their diversity and ecology, and further still, viruses in these communities have been largely unexplored despite important roles related to host metabolism and nutrient cycling. To begin to address this, we present a large-scale viral catalog from Antarctic rock microbial communities. RESULTS We performed metagenomic analyses on rocks from across Antarctica representing a broad range of environmental and spatial conditions, and which resulted in a predicted viral catalog comprising > 75,000 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUS). We found largely undescribed, highly diverse and spatially structured virus communities which had predicted auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) with functions indicating that they may be potentially influencing bacterial adaptation and biogeochemistry. CONCLUSION This catalog lays the foundation for expanding knowledge of virosphere diversity, function, spatial ecology, and dynamics in extreme environments. This work serves as a step towards exploring adaptability of microbial communities in the face of a changing climate. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra L Ettinger
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
| | - Morgan Saunders
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA, USA
- The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad Y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales Y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, Seville, E-41012, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun), Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, 41013, Spain
| | - Claudio Donati
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele All'Adige, 38098, Italy
| | - Davide Albanese
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, San Michele All'Adige, 38098, Italy
| | - Simon Roux
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Susannah Tringe
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Christa Pennacchio
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Tijana G Del Rio
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy.
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad Y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico, Instituto de Recursos Naturales Y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, Seville, E-41012, Spain.
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6
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Piano E, Biagioli F, Nicolosi G, Coleine C, Poli A, Prigione V, Zanellati A, Addesso R, Varese GC, Selbmann L, Isaia M. Tourism affects microbial assemblages in show caves. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:162106. [PMID: 36764528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic disturbance on natural ecosystems is growing in frequency and magnitude affecting all ecosystems components. Understanding the response of different types of biocoenosis to human disturbance is urgently needed and it can be achieved by adopting a metacommunity framework. With the aid of advanced molecular techniques, we investigated sediment communities of Fungi, Bacteria and Archaea in four Italian show caves, aiming to disentangle the effects induced by tourism on their diversity and to highlight changes in the driving forces that shape their community composition. We modelled diversity measures against proxies of tourism pressure. With this approach we demonstrate that the cave tourism has a direct effect on the community of Bacteria and an indirect influence on Fungi and Archaea. By analysing the main driving forces influencing the community composition of the three microbial groups, we highlighted that stochastic factors override dispersal-related processes and environmental selection in show caves compared to undisturbed areas. Thanks to this approach, we provide new perspectives on the dynamics of microbial communities under human disturbance suggesting that a proper understanding of the underlying selective mechanisms requires a comprehensive and multi-taxonomic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Piano
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Federico Biagioli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nicolosi
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Poli
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Prigione
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Zanellati
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Rosangela Addesso
- Department of Chemistry and Biology "Adolfo Zambelli", University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Giovanna Cristina Varese
- Mycotheca Universitatis Taurinensis, Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Viale Mattioli 25, 10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marco Isaia
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123 Torino, Italy.
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Coleine C, Delgado-Baquerizo M, Zerboni A, Turchetti B, Buzzini P, Franceschi P, Selbmann L. Rock Traits Drive Complex Microbial Communities at the Edge of Life. ASTROBIOLOGY 2023; 23:395-406. [PMID: 36812458 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2022.0062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Antarctic deserts are among the driest and coldest ecosystems of the planet; there, some microbes survive under these extreme conditions inside porous rocks, forming the so-called endolithic communities. Yet the contribution of distinct rock traits to support complex microbial assemblies remains poorly determined. Here, we combined an extensive Antarctic rock survey with rock microbiome sequencing and ecological networks and found that contrasting combinations of microclimatic and rock traits such as thermal inertia, porosity, iron concentration, and quartz cement can help explain the multiple complex microbial assemblies found in Antarctic rocks. Our work highlights the pivotal role of rocky substrate heterogeneity in sustaining contrasting groups of microorganisms, which is essential to understand life at the edge on Earth and for the search for life on other rocky planets such as Mars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun). Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Andrea Zerboni
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Turchetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pietro Buzzini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pietro Franceschi
- Research and Innovation Center, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Trento, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, Genoa, Italy
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8
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Microbial diversity and proxy species for human impact in Italian karst caves. Sci Rep 2023; 13:689. [PMID: 36639707 PMCID: PMC9839721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26511-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To date, the highly adapted cave microbial communities are challenged by the expanding anthropization of these subterranean habitats. Although recent advances in characterizing show-caves microbiome composition and functionality, the anthropic effect on promoting the establishment, or reducing the presence of specific microbial guilds has never been studied in detail. This work aims to investigate the whole microbiome (Fungi, Algae, Bacteria and Archaea) of four Italian show-caves, displaying different environmental and geo-morphological conditions and one recently discovered natural cave to highlight potential human-induced microbial traits alterations. Results indicate how show-caves share common microbial traits in contrast to the natural one; the first are characterized by microorganisms related to outdoor environment and/or capable of exploiting extra inputs of organic matter eventually supplied by tourist flows (i.e. Chaetomium and Phoma for fungi and Pseudomonas for bacteria). Yet, variation in microalgae assemblage composition was reported in show-caves, probably related to the effect of the artificial lighting. This study provides insights into the potential microbiome cave contamination by human-related bacteria (e.g. Lactobacillus and Staphylococcus) and commensal/opportunistic human associated fungi (e.g. Candida) and dermatophytes. This work is critical to untangle caves microbiome towards management and conservation of these fragile ecosystems.
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Napoli A, Coleine C, Ulrich NJ, Moeller R, Billi D, Selbmann L. Snow Surface Microbial Diversity at the Detection Limit within the Vicinity of the Concordia Station, Antarctica. LIFE (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 13:life13010113. [PMID: 36676062 PMCID: PMC9863605 DOI: 10.3390/life13010113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The Concordia Research Station provides a unique location for preparatory activities for future human journey to Mars, to explore microbial diversity at subzero temperatures, and monitor the dissemination of human-associated microorganisms within the pristine surrounding environment. Amplicon sequencing was leveraged to investigate the microbial diversity of surface snow samples collected monthly over a two-year period, at three distances from the Station (10, 500, and 1000 m). Even when the extracted total DNA was below the detection limit, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was successfully performed on all samples, while 18S rRNA was amplified on 19 samples out of 51. No significant relationships were observed between microbial diversity and seasonality (summer or winter) or distance from the Concordia base. This suggested that if present, the anthropogenic impact should have been below the detectable limit. While harboring low microbial diversity, the surface snow samples were characterized by heterogeneous microbiomes. Ultimately, our study corroborated the use of DNA sequencing-based techniques for revealing microbial presence in remote and hostile environments, with implications for Planetary Protection during space missions and for life-detection in astrobiology relevant targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Napoli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Nikea J. Ulrich
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Ralf Moeller
- Aerospace Microbiology Research Group, Radiation Biology Department, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 28359 Cologne, Germany
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (BRSU), 53359 Rheinbach, Germany
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Daniela Billi
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.M.); (D.B.)
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), 16128 Genoa, Italy
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10
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Soil Geochemical Properties Influencing the Diversity of Bacteria and Archaea in Soils of the Kitezh Lake Area, Antarctica. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11121855. [PMID: 36552364 PMCID: PMC9775965 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
It is believed that polar regions are influenced by global warming more significantly, and because polar regions are less affected by human activities, they have certain reference values for future predictions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of climate warming on soil microbial communities in lake areas, taking Kitezh Lake, Antarctica as the research area. Below-peak soil, intertidal soil, and sediment were taken at the sampling sites, and we hypothesized that the diversity and composition of the bacterial and archaeal communities were different among the three sampling sites. Through 16S rDNA sequencing and analysis, bacteria and archaea with high abundance were obtained. Based on canonical correspondence analysis and redundancy analysis, pH and phosphate had a great influence on the bacterial community whereas pH and nitrite had a great influence on the archaeal community. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis was used to find the hub bacteria and archaea related to geochemical factors. The results showed that in addition to pH, phosphate, and nitrite, moisture content, ammonium, nitrate, and total carbon content also play important roles in microbial diversity and structure at different sites by changing the abundance of some key microbiota.
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11
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Coleine C, Delgado-Baquerizo M. Unearthing terrestrial extreme microbiomes for searching terrestrial-like life in the Solar System. Trends Microbiol 2022; 30:1101-1115. [PMID: 35568658 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The possibility of life elsewhere in the universe has fascinated humankind for ages. To the best of our knowledge, life, as we know it, is limited to planet Earth; yet current investigation suggests that life might be more common than previously thought. In this review, we explore extreme terrestrial analogue environments in the search for some notable examples of extreme organisms, including overlooked microbial groups such as viruses, fungi, and protists, associated with limits of life on Earth. This knowledge is integral to provide the foundational principles needed to predict what sort of Earth-like organisms we might find in the Solar System and beyond, and to understand the future and origins of life on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo
- Laboratorio de Biodiversidad y Funcionamiento Ecosistémico. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Sevilla (IRNAS), CSIC, Av. Reina Mercedes 10, E-41012, Sevilla, Spain; Unidad Asociada CSIC-UPO (BioFun). Universidad Pablo de Olavide, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
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Fungi are key players in extreme ecosystems. Trends Ecol Evol 2022; 37:517-528. [PMID: 35246323 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2022.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Extreme environments on Earth are typically devoid of macro life forms and are inhabited predominantly by highly adapted and specialized microorganisms. The discovery and persistence of these extremophiles provides tools to model how life arose on Earth and inform us on the limits of life. Fungi, in particular, are among the most extreme-tolerant organisms with highly versatile lifestyles and stunning ecological and morphological plasticity. Here, we overview the most notable examples of extremophilic and stress-tolerant fungi, highlighting their key roles in the functionality and balance of extreme ecosystems. The remarkable ability of fungi to tolerate and even thrive in the most extreme environments, which preclude most organisms, have reshaped current concepts regarding the limits of life on Earth.
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Muggia L, Coleine C, De Carolis R, Cometto A, Selbmann L. Antarctolichenia onofrii gen. nov. sp. nov. from Antarctic Endolithic Communities Untangles the Evolution of Rock-Inhabiting and Lichenized Fungi in Arthoniomycetes. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:935. [PMID: 34829222 PMCID: PMC8621061 DOI: 10.3390/jof7110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial endolithic communities are the main and most widespread life forms in the coldest and hyper-arid desert of the McMurdo Dry Valleys and other ice-free areas across Victoria Land, Antarctica. There, the lichen-dominated communities are complex and self-supporting assemblages of phototrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms, including bacteria, chlorophytes, and both free-living and lichen-forming fungi living at the edge of their physiological adaptability. In particular, among the free-living fungi, microcolonial, melanized, and anamorphic species are highly recurrent, while a few species were sometimes found to be associated with algae. One of these fungi is of paramount importance for its peculiar traits, i.e., a yeast-like habitus, co-growing with algae and being difficult to propagate in pure culture. In the present study, this taxon is herein described as the new genus Antarctolichenia and its type species is A. onofrii, which represents a transitional group between the free-living and symbiotic lifestyle in Arthoniomycetes. The phylogenetic placement of Antarctolichenia was studied using three rDNA molecular markers and morphological characters were described. In this study, we also reappraise the evolution and the connections linking the lichen-forming and rock-inhabiting lifestyles in the basal lineages of Arthoniomycetes (i.e., Lichenostigmatales) and Dothideomycetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Muggia
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.M.); (R.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’ Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Roberto De Carolis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.M.); (R.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Agnese Cometto
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Via Giorgieri 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy; (L.M.); (R.D.C.); (A.C.)
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’ Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), 16128 Genoa, Italy
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14
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Antarctica as a reservoir of planetary analogue environments. Extremophiles 2021; 25:437-458. [PMID: 34586500 DOI: 10.1007/s00792-021-01245-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the main objectives of astrobiological research is the investigation of the habitability of other planetary bodies. Since space exploration missions are expensive and require long-term organization, the preliminary study of terrestrial environments is an essential step to prepare and support exploration missions. The Earth hosts a multitude of extreme environments whose characteristics resemble celestial bodies in our Solar System. In these environments, the physico-chemical properties partly match extraterrestrial environments and could clarify limits and adaptation mechanisms of life, the mineralogical or geochemical context, and support and interpret data sent back from planetary bodies. One of the best terrestrial analogues is Antarctica, whose conditions lie on the edge of habitability. It is characterized by a cold and dry climate (Onofri et al., Nova Hedwigia 68:175-182, 1999), low water availability, strong katabatic winds, salt concentration, desiccation, and high radiation. Thanks to the harsh conditions like those in other celestial bodies, Antarctica offers good terrestrial analogues for celestial body (Mars or icy moons; Léveillé, CR Palevol 8:637-648, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2009.03.005 , 2009). The continent could be distinguished into several habitats, each with characteristics similar to those existing on other bodies. Here, we reported a description of each simulated parameter within the habitats, in relation to each of the simulated extraterrestrial environments.
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Hallsworth JE, Mancinelli RL, Conley CA, Dallas TD, Rinaldi T, Davila AF, Benison KC, Rapoport A, Cavalazzi B, Selbmann L, Changela H, Westall F, Yakimov MM, Amils R, Madigan MT. Astrobiology of life on Earth. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:3335-3344. [PMID: 33817931 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Astrobiology is mistakenly regarded by some as a field confined to studies of life beyond Earth. Here, we consider life on Earth through an astrobiological lens. Whereas classical studies of microbiology historically focused on various anthropocentric sub-fields (such as fermented foods or commensals and pathogens of crop plants, livestock and humans), addressing key biological questions via astrobiological approaches can further our understanding of all life on Earth. We highlight potential implications of this approach through the articles in this Environmental Microbiology special issue 'Ecophysiology of Extremophiles'. They report on the microbiology of places/processes including low-temperature environments and chemically diverse saline- and hypersaline habitats; aspects of sulphur metabolism in hypersaline lakes, dysoxic marine waters, and thermal acidic springs; biology of extremophile viruses; the survival of terrestrial extremophiles on the surface of Mars; biological soils crusts and rock-associated microbes of deserts; subsurface and deep biosphere, including a salticle formed within Triassic halite; and interactions of microbes with igneous and sedimentary rocks. These studies, some of which we highlight here, contribute to our understanding of the spatiotemporal reach of Earth'sfunctional biosphere, and the tenacity of terrestrial life. Their findings will help set the stage for future work focused on the constraints for life, and how organisms adapt and evolve to circumvent these constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Hallsworth
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Rocco L Mancinelli
- Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA, 94035, USA
| | | | - Tiffany D Dallas
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, 19 Chlorine Gardens, Belfast, BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Teresa Rinaldi
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | | | - Kathleen C Benison
- Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506-6300, USA
| | - Alexander Rapoport
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas Str., 1-537, Riga, LV-1004, Latvia
| | - Barbara Cavalazzi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, 40126, Italy
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, 01100, Italy.,Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, Genoa, 16128, Italy
| | - Hitesh Changela
- Key Laboratory of Earth and Planetary Physics, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100029, China.,Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Frances Westall
- CNRS, Ctr Biophys Mol UPR 4301, Rue Charles Sadron, CS 80054, Orleans, F-45071, France
| | - Michail M Yakimov
- Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology, IRBIM-CNR, Messina, 98122, Italy
| | - Ricardo Amils
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CBMSO, CSICUAM), Cantoblanco, Madrid, 28049, Spain.,Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, INTA-CSIC), Torrejón de Ardoz, 28055, Spain
| | - Michael T Madigan
- School of Biological Sciences, Department of Microbiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
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