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Lai Z, Liu Z, Zhao Y, Qin S, Zhang W, Lang T, Zhu Z, Sun Y. Distinct microbial communities under different rock-associated microhabitats in the Qaidam Desert. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118462. [PMID: 38367835 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Hypolithic communities, which occupy highly specialised microhabitats beneath translucent rocks in desert and arid environments, have assembly mechanisms and ecosystem functions are not fully understood. Thus, in this study, we aimed to examine the microbial community structure, assembly, and function of light-accessible (under quartz, calcite, and hypolithic lichen-dominated biocrusts) and light-inaccessible microhabitats (under basalt and adjacent soil) in the Qaidam Desert, China. The results showed that hypolithic communities have different characteristics compared with microbial communities of light-inaccessible microhabitats. Notably, hypolithic bacterial communities were dominated by Cyanobacteria, whereas light-inaccessible microhabitats showed a predominance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Although the class Dothideomycetes (phylum: Ascomycota) dominated the fungal communities between the two microhabitat types, Sordariomycetes were more prevalent in light-accessible microhabitats. Network and robustness analyses showed that hypolithic communities were less complex and more resilient than microbial communities in light-inaccessible microhabitats. Our results indicated that deterministic processes, specifically homogeneous selection, govern the establishment of bacterial and fungal communities in light-accessible and light-inaccessible microhabitats. The hypolithic community showed an increased frequency of phylotypes that exhibited increased tolerance to functional stress response pathways. In contrast to light-inaccessible microhabitats, light-accessible microhabitats showed a slight decrease and a notable increase in the prevalence of carbon fixation pathways in prokaryotes and carbon fixation in photosynthetic organisms, respectively. For fungi, light-accessible microhabitats enriched saprotrophic and ectomycorrhizal groups. These results highlight the importance of complex and diverse microhabitats in desert regions, which serve as vital shelters for microbes. Combining future research on interactions between hypolithic communities and environments may enhance our current understanding of their pivotal roles in sustaining desert ecosystems. This knowledge then be applied to design and implement informed conservation efforts to preserve these unique rock-associated microhabitats in desert ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongrui Lai
- Yanchi Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- CAS Engineering Laboratory for Yellow River Delta Modern Agriculture, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Yanchi Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Shugao Qin
- Yanchi Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenqi Zhang
- Yanchi Research Station, School of Soil and Water Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Tao Lang
- MNR Key Laboratory for Geo-Environmental Monitoring of Great Bay Area & Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bio-resource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, 518060, Shenzhen, China; College of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Baise University, Baise, Guangxi 533000, China.
| | - Zhengjie Zhu
- College of Agricultural and Food Engineering, Baise University, Baise, Guangxi 533000, China
| | - Yanfei Sun
- Key Laboratory of Genetics and Germplasm Innovation of Tropical Special Forest Trees and Ornamental Plants, Ministry of Education, College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
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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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Villar-dePablo M, Ascaso C, Rodríguez-Pérez E, Urizal M, Wierzchos J, Pérez-Ortega S, de Los Ríos A. Innovative approaches to accurately assess the effectiveness of biocide-based treatments to fight biodeterioration of Cultural Heritage monuments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 897:165318. [PMID: 37422225 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of diagnostic methods to accurately assess the effects of treatments on lithobiont colonization remains a challenge for the conservation of Cultural Heritage monuments. In this study, we tested the efficacy of biocide-based treatments on microbial colonization of a dolostone quarry, in the short and long-term, using a dual analytical strategy. We applied a metabarcoding approach to characterize fungal and bacterial communities over time, integrated with microscopy techniques to analyze the interactions of microorganisms with the substrate and evaluate the effectiveness. These communities were dominated by the bacterial phyla Actinobacteriota, Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria, and the fungal order Verrucariales, which include taxa previously reported as biodeteriogenic agents and observed here associated with biodeterioration processes. Following the treatments, changes over time in the abundance profiles depend on taxa. While Cyanobacteriales, Cytophagales and Verrucariales decreased in abundance, other groups, such as Solirubrobacteriales, Thermomicrobiales and Pleosporales increased. These patterns could be related not only to the specific effects of the biocide on the different taxa, but also to different recolonization abilities of those organisms. The different susceptibility to treatments could be associated with the inherent cellular properties of different taxa, but differences in biocide penetration to endolithic microhabitats could be involved. Our results demonstrate the importance of both removing epilithic colonization and applying biocides to act against endolithic forms. Recolonization processes could also explain some of the taxon-dependent responses, especially in the long-term. Taxa showing resistance, and those benefiting from nutrient accumulation in the form of cellular debris following treatments, may have an advantage in colonizing treated areas, pointing to the need for long-term monitoring of a wide range of taxa. This study highlights the potential utility of combining metabarcoding and microscopy to analyze the effects of treatments and design appropriate strategies to combat biodeterioration and establish preventive conservation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Villar-dePablo
- Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology Department, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Serrano 115 dpdo., E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Ascaso
- Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology Department, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Serrano 115 dpdo., E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Rodríguez-Pérez
- Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology Department, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Serrano 115 dpdo., E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jacek Wierzchos
- Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology Department, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Serrano 115 dpdo., E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Pérez-Ortega
- Department of Mycology, Real Jardín Botánico (CSIC), Plaza Murillo 2, E-28014 Madrid, Spain
| | - Asunción de Los Ríos
- Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology Department, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (CSIC), Serrano 115 dpdo., E-28006 Madrid, Spain.
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Mashamaite L, Lebre PH, Varliero G, Maphosa S, Ortiz M, Hogg ID, Cowan DA. Microbial diversity in Antarctic Dry Valley soils across an altitudinal gradient. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1203216. [PMID: 37555066 PMCID: PMC10406297 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1203216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys are geologically diverse, encompassing a wide variety of soil habitats. These environments are largely dominated by microorganisms, which drive the ecosystem services of the region. While altitude is a well-established driver of eukaryotic biodiversity in these Antarctic ice-free areas (and many non-Antarctic environments), little is known of the relationship between altitude and microbial community structure and functionality in continental Antarctica. METHODS We analysed prokaryotic and lower eukaryotic diversity from soil samples across a 684 m altitudinal transect in the lower Taylor Valley, Antarctica and performed a phylogenic characterization of soil microbial communities using short-read sequencing of the 16S rRNA and ITS marker gene amplicons. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Phylogenetic analysis showed clear altitudinal trends in soil microbial composition and structure. Cyanobacteria were more prevalent in higher altitude samples, while the highly stress resistant Chloroflexota and Deinococcota were more prevalent in lower altitude samples. We also detected a shift from Basidiomycota to Chytridiomycota with increasing altitude. Several genera associated with trace gas chemotrophy, including Rubrobacter and Ornithinicoccus, were widely distributed across the entire transect, suggesting that trace-gas chemotrophy may be an important trophic strategy for microbial survival in oligotrophic environments. The ratio of trace-gas chemotrophs to photoautotrophs was significantly higher in lower altitude samples. Co-occurrence network analysis of prokaryotic communities showed some significant differences in connectivity within the communities from different altitudinal zones, with cyanobacterial and trace-gas chemotrophy-associated taxa being identified as potential keystone taxa for soil communities at higher altitudes. By contrast, the prokaryotic network at low altitudes was dominated by heterotrophic keystone taxa, thus suggesting a clear trophic distinction between soil prokaryotic communities at different altitudes. Based on these results, we conclude that altitude is an important driver of microbial ecology in Antarctic ice-free soil habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lefentse Mashamaite
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Pedro H. Lebre
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Gilda Varliero
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Rhizosphere Processes Group, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Silindile Maphosa
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Max Ortiz
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Clemson University Genomics & Bioinformatics Facility, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
| | - Ian D. Hogg
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- School of Science, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Canadian High Arctic Research Station, Polar Knowledge Canada, Cambridge Bay, NU, Canada
| | - Don A. Cowan
- Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Centre for Microbial Ecology and Genomics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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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: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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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: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 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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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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Severgnini M, Canini F, Consolandi C, Camboni T, Paolo D'Acqui L, Mascalchi C, Ventura S, Zucconi L. Highly differentiated soil bacterial communities in Victoria Land macro-areas (Antarctica). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2021; 97:6307020. [PMID: 34151349 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiab087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ice-free areas of Victoria Land, in Antarctica, are characterized by different terrestrial ecosystems, that are dominated by microorganisms supporting highly adapted communities. Despite the unique conditions of these ecosystems, reports on their bacterial diversity are still fragmentary. From this perspective, 60 samples from 14 localities were analyzed. These localities were distributed in coastal sites with differently developed biological soil crusts, inner sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys with soils lacking of plant coverage, and a site called Icarus Camp, with a crust developed on a thin locally weathered substrate of the underlying parent granitic-rock. Bacterial diversity was studied through 16S rRNA metabarcoding sequencing. Communities diversity, composition and the abundance and composition of different taxonomic groups were correlated to soil physicochemical characteristics. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria dominated these communities. Most phyla were mainly driven by soil granulometry, an often disregarded parameter and other abiotic parameters. Bacterial composition differed greatly among the three macrohabitats, each having a distinct bacterial profile. Communities within the two main habitats (coastal and inner ones) were well differentiated from each other as well, therefore depending on site-specific physicochemical characteristics. A core community of the whole samples was observed, mainly represented by Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Severgnini
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), via f.lli Cervi, 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Fabiana Canini
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Clarissa Consolandi
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), via f.lli Cervi, 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Tania Camboni
- Institute of Biomedical Technologies, National Research Council (ITB-CNR), via f.lli Cervi, 93, 20054, Segrate, Italy
| | - Luigi Paolo D'Acqui
- Terrestria Ecosystems Research Institute, National Research Council (IRET-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Cristina Mascalchi
- Terrestria Ecosystems Research Institute, National Research Council (IRET-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Stefano Ventura
- Terrestria Ecosystems Research Institute, National Research Council (IRET-CNR), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.,The Italian Embassy in Israel, Trade Tower, 25 Hamered Street, 68125, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell'Università s.n.c., 01100, Viterbo, Italy
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Albanese D, Coleine C, Rota-Stabelli O, Onofri S, Tringe SG, Stajich JE, Selbmann L, Donati C. Pre-Cambrian roots of novel Antarctic cryptoendolithic bacterial lineages. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:63. [PMID: 33741058 PMCID: PMC7980648 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptoendolithic communities are microbial ecosystems dwelling inside porous rocks that are able to persist at the edge of the biological potential for life in the ice-free areas of the Antarctic desert. These regions include the McMurdo Dry Valleys, often accounted as the closest terrestrial counterpart of the Martian environment and thought to be devoid of life until the discovery of these cryptic life-forms. Despite their interest as a model for the early colonization by living organisms of terrestrial ecosystems and for adaptation to extreme conditions of stress, little is known about the evolution, diversity, and genetic makeup of bacterial species that reside in these environments. Using the Illumina Novaseq platform, we generated the first metagenomes from rocks collected in Continental Antarctica over a distance of about 350 km along an altitudinal transect from 834 up to 3100 m above sea level (a.s.l.). RESULTS A total of 497 draft bacterial genome sequences were assembled and clustered into 269 candidate species that lack a representative genome in public databases. Actinobacteria represent the most abundant phylum, followed by Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria. The "Candidatus Jiangella antarctica" has been recorded across all samples, suggesting a high adaptation and specialization of this species to the harshest Antarctic desert environment. The majority of these new species belong to monophyletic bacterial clades that diverged from related taxa in a range from 1.2 billion to 410 Ma and are functionally distinct from known related taxa. CONCLUSIONS Our findings significantly increase the repertoire of genomic data for several taxa and, to date, represent the first example of bacterial genomes recovered from endolithic communities. Their ancient origin seems to not be related to the geological history of the continent, rather they may represent evolutionary remnants of pristine clades that evolved across the Tonian glaciation. These unique genomic resources will underpin future studies on the structure, evolution, and function of these ecosystems at the edge of life. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Albanese
- 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, Largo dell’Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Omar Rota-Stabelli
- Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Via E. Mach 1, 38098 San Michele all’Adige, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Susannah G. Tringe
- Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, One Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology and Institute of Integrative Genome Biology, University of California, Watkins Drive 3401, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92507 USA
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Largo dell’Università, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Mycological Section, Italian Antarctic National Museum (MNA), Via al Porto Antico, 16128 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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10
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Culture-Dependent and Amplicon Sequencing Approaches Reveal Diversity and Distribution of Black Fungi in Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Communities. J Fungi (Basel) 2021; 7:jof7030213. [PMID: 33809619 PMCID: PMC8001563 DOI: 10.3390/jof7030213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In the harshest environmental conditions of the Antarctic desert, normally incompatible with active life, microbes are adapted to exploit the cryptoendolithic habitat (i.e., pore spaces of rocks) and represent the predominant life-forms. In the rocky niche, microbes take advantage of the thermal buffering, physical stability, protection against UV radiation, excessive solar radiation, and water retention-of paramount importance in one of the driest environments on Earth. In this work, high-throughput sequencing and culture-dependent approaches have been combined, for the first time, to untangle the diversity and distribution of black fungi in the Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial communities, hosting some of the most extreme-tolerant microorganisms. Rock samples were collected in a vast area, along an altitudinal gradient and opposite sun exposure-known to influence microbial diversity-with the aim to compare and integrate results gained with the two approaches. Among black fungi, Friedmanniomyces endolithicus was confirmed as the most abundant taxon. Despite the much stronger power of the high-throughput sequencing, several species were not retrieved with DNA sequencing and were detectable by cultivation only. We conclude that both culture-dependent and -independent analyses are needed for a complete overview of black fungi diversity. The reason why some species remain undetectable with molecular methods are speculated upon. The effect of environmental parameters such as sun exposure on relative abundance was clearer if based on the wider biodiversity detected with the molecular approach.
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11
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Coleine C, Biagioli F, de Vera JP, Onofri S, Selbmann L. Endolithic microbial composition in Helliwell Hills, a newly investigated Mars-like area in Antarctica. Environ Microbiol 2021; 23:4002-4016. [PMID: 33538384 DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.15419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The diversity and composition of Antarctic cryptoendolithic microbial communities in the Mars-analogue site of Helliwell Hills (Northern Victoria Land, Continental Antarctica) are investigated, for the first time, applying both culture-dependent and high-throughput sequencing approaches. The study includes all the domains of the tree of life: Eukaryotes, Bacteria and Archaea to give a complete overview of biodiversity and community structure. Furthermore, to explore the geographic distribution of endoliths throughout the Victoria Land (Continental Antarctica), we compared the fungal and bacterial community composition and structure of endolithically colonized rocks, collected in >30 sites in 10 years of Italian Antarctic Expeditions. Compared with the fungi and other eukaryotes, the prokaryotic communities were richer in species, more diverse and highly heterogeneous. Despite the diverse community compositions, shared populations were found and were dominant in all sites. Local diversification was observed and included prokaryotes as members of Alphaproteobacteria and Crenarchaeota (Archaea), the last detected for the first time in these cryptoendolithic communities. Few eukaryotes, namely lichen-forming fungal species as Lecidella grenii, were detected in Helliwell Hills only. These findings suggest that geographic distance and isolation in these remote areas may promote the establishment of peculiar locally diversified microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federico Biagioli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jean Pierre de Vera
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Planetary Research, Planetary Laboratories, Research Group Astrobiological Laboratories, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, 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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12
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Fanelli G, Coleine C, Gevi F, Onofri S, Selbmann L, Timperio AM. Metabolomics of Dry Versus Reanimated Antarctic Lichen-Dominated Endolithic Communities. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:96. [PMID: 33514042 PMCID: PMC7911838 DOI: 10.3390/life11020096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptoendolithic communities are almost the sole life form in the ice-free areas of the Antarctic desert, encompassing among the most extreme-tolerant organisms known on Earth that still assure ecosystems functioning, regulating nutrient and biogeochemical cycles under conditions accounted as incompatible with active life. If high-throughput sequencing based studies are unravelling prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity, they are not yet characterized in terms of stress adaptations and responses, despite their paramount ecological importance. In this study, we compared the responses of Antarctic endolithic communities, with special focus on fungi, both under dry conditions (i.e., when dormant), and after reanimation by wetting, light, and optimal temperature (15 °C). We found that several metabolites were differently expressed in reanimated opposite sun exposed communities, suggesting a critical role in their success. In particular, the saccharopine pathway was up-regulated in the north surface, while the spermine/spermidine pathway was significantly down-regulated in the shaded exposed communities. The carnitine-dependent pathway is up-regulated in south-exposed reanimated samples, indicating the preferential involvement of the B-oxidation for the functioning of TCA cycle. The role of these metabolites in the performance of the communities is discussed herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Fanelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.F.); (C.C.); (F.G.); (S.O.)
| | - Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.F.); (C.C.); (F.G.); (S.O.)
| | - Federica Gevi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.F.); (C.C.); (F.G.); (S.O.)
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.F.); (C.C.); (F.G.); (S.O.)
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.F.); (C.C.); (F.G.); (S.O.)
- Italian National Antarctic Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, 16166 Genoa, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Timperio
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (G.F.); (C.C.); (F.G.); (S.O.)
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13
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Klarenberg IJ, Keuschnig C, Warshan D, Jónsdóttir IS, Vilhelmsson O. The Total and Active Bacterial Community of the Chlorolichen Cetraria islandica and Its Response to Long-Term Warming in Sub-Arctic Tundra. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:540404. [PMID: 33391192 PMCID: PMC7775390 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.540404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Lichens are traditionally defined as a symbiosis between a fungus and a green alga and or a cyanobacterium. This idea has been challenged by the discovery of bacterial communities inhabiting the lichen thalli. These bacteria are thought to contribute to the survival of lichens under extreme and changing environmental conditions. How these changing environmental conditions affect the lichen-associated bacterial community composition remains unclear. We describe the total (rDNA-based) and potentially metabolically active (rRNA-based) bacterial community of the lichen Cetaria islandica and its response to long-term warming using a 20-year warming experiment in an Icelandic sub-Arctic tundra. 16S rRNA and rDNA amplicon sequencing showed that the orders Acetobacterales (of the class Alphaproteobacteria) and Acidobacteriales (of the phylum Acidobacteria) dominated the bacterial community. Numerous amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) could only be detected in the potentially active community but not in the total community. Long-term warming led to increases in relative abundance of bacterial taxa on class, order and ASV level. Warming altered the relative abundance of ASVs of the most common bacterial genera, such as Granulicella and Endobacter. The potentially metabolically active bacterial community was also more responsive to warming than the total community. Our results suggest that the bacterial community of the lichen C. islandica is dominated by acidophilic taxa and harbors disproportionally active rare taxa. We also show for the first time that climate warming can lead to shifts in lichen-associated bacterial community composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingeborg J. Klarenberg
- Natural Resource Sciences, University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Christoph Keuschnig
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, Laboratoire Ampère, CNRS, École Centrale de Lyon, Écully, France
| | - Denis Warshan
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | - Oddur Vilhelmsson
- Natural Resource Sciences, University of Akureyri, Akureyri, Iceland
- BioMedical Center, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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14
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Coleine C, Stajich JE, de Los Ríos A, Selbmann L. Beyond the extremes: Rocks as ultimate refuge for fungi in drylands. Mycologia 2020; 113:108-133. [PMID: 33232202 DOI: 10.1080/00275514.2020.1816761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In an era of rapid climate change and expansion of desertification, the extremely harsh conditions of drylands are a true challenge for microbial life. Under drought conditions, where most life forms cannot survive, rocks represent the main refuge for life. Indeed, the endolithic habitat provides thermal buffering, physical stability, and protection against incident ultraviolet (UV) radiation and solar radiation and, to some extent, ensures water retention to microorganisms. The study of these highly specialized extreme-tolerant and extremophiles may provide tools for understanding microbial interactions and processes that allow them to keep their metabolic machinery active under conditions of dryness and oligotrophy that are typically incompatible with active life, up to the dry limits for life. Despite lithobiontic communities being studied all over the world, a comprehensive understanding of their ecology, evolution, and adaptation is still nascent. Herein, we survey the fungal component of these microbial ecosystems. We first provide an overview of the main defined groups (i.e., lichen-forming fungi, black fungi, and yeasts) of the most known and studied Antarctic endolithic communities that are almost the only life forms ensuring ecosystem functionality in the ice-free areas of the continent. For each group, we discuss their main traits and their diversity. Then, we focus on the fungal taxonomy and ecology of other worldwide endolithic communities. Finally, we highlight the utmost importance of a global rock survey in order to have a comprehensive view of the diversity, distribution, and functionality of these fungi in drylands, to obtain tools in desert area management, and as early alarm systems to climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Jason E Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, 900 University Ave , Riverside, California 92521
| | - Asunción de Los Ríos
- Department of Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, Spanish National Resource Council, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia , Largo dell'Università snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.,Italian National Antarctic Museum, Mycological Section, Genoa, Italy
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15
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Coleine C, Pombubpa N, Zucconi L, Onofri S, Turchetti B, Buzzini P, Stajich JE, Selbmann L. Uncovered Microbial Diversity in Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Communities Sampling three Representative Locations of the Victoria Land. Microorganisms 2020; 8:E942. [PMID: 32585947 PMCID: PMC7356261 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The endolithic niche represents an ultimate refuge to microorganisms in the Mars-like environment of the Antarctic desert. In an era of rapid global change and desertification, the interest in these border ecosystems is increasing due to speculation on how they maintain balance and functionality at the dry limits of life. To assure a reliable estimation of microbial diversity, proper sampling must be planned in order to avoid the necessity of re-sampling as reaching these remote locations is risky and requires tremendous logistical and economical efforts. In this study, we seek to determine the minimum number of samples for uncovering comprehensive bacterial and fungal diversity, comparing communities in strict vicinity to each other. We selected three different locations of the Victoria Land (Continental Antarctica) at different altitudes and showing sandstone outcrops of a diverse nature and origin-Battleship promontory (834 m above sea level (a.s.l.), Southern VL), Trio Nunatak (1,470 m a.s.l., Northern VL) and Mt New Zealand (3,100 m a.s.l., Northern VL). Overall, we found that a wider sampling would be required to capture the whole amplitude of microbial diversity, particularly in Northern VL. We concluded that the inhomogeneity of the rock matrix and the stronger environmental pressure at higher altitudes may force the communities to a higher local diversification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.Z.); (S.O.)
| | - Nuttapon Pombubpa
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (N.P.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Laura Zucconi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.Z.); (S.O.)
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.Z.); (S.O.)
| | - Benedetta Turchetti
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (B.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Pietro Buzzini
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Perugia, 06121 Perugia, Italy; (B.T.); (P.B.)
| | - Jason E. Stajich
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; (N.P.); (J.E.S.)
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (L.Z.); (S.O.)
- Italian National Antarctic Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, 16166 Genoa, Italy
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16
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Coleine C, Gevi F, Fanelli G, Onofri S, Timperio AM, Selbmann L. Specific adaptations are selected in opposite sun exposed Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities as revealed by untargeted metabolomics. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233805. [PMID: 32460306 PMCID: PMC7253227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities are self-supporting borderline ecosystems spreading across the extreme conditions of the Antarctic desert and represent the predominant life-form in the ice-free areas of McMurdo Dry Valleys, accounted as the closest terrestrial Martian analogue. Components of these communities are highly adapted extremophiles and extreme-tolerant microorganisms, among the most resistant known to date. Recently, studies investigated biodiversity and community composition in these ecosystems but the metabolic activity of the metacommunity has never been investigated. Using an untargeted metabolomics, we explored stress-response of communities spreading in two sites of the same location, subjected to increasing environmental pressure due to opposite sun exposure, accounted as main factor influencing the diversity and composition of these ecosystems. Overall, 331 altered metabolites (206 and 125 unique for north and south, respectively), distinguished the two differently exposed communities. We also selected 10 metabolites and performed two-stage Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to test them as potential biomarkers. We further focused on melanin and allantoin as protective substances; their concentration was highly different in the community in the shadow or in the sun. These results clearly indicate that opposite insolation selected organisms in the communities with different adaptation strategies in terms of key metabolites produced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Coleine
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Federica Gevi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Fanelli
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Silvano Onofri
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Timperio
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Department of Science and Technology for Agriculture, Forestry, Nature and Energy, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- * E-mail: (AMT); (LS)
| | - Laura Selbmann
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
- Italian National Antarctic Museum (MNA), Mycological Section, Genoa, Italy
- * E-mail: (AMT); (LS)
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17
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Metagenomes in the Borderline Ecosystems of the Antarctic Cryptoendolithic Communities. Microbiol Resour Announc 2020; 9:9/10/e01599-19. [PMID: 32139564 PMCID: PMC7171226 DOI: 10.1128/mra.01599-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities are microbial ecosystems dwelling inside rocks of the Antarctic desert. We present the first 18 shotgun metagenomes from these communities to further characterize their composition, biodiversity, functionality, and adaptation. Future studies will integrate taxonomic and functional annotations to examine the pathways necessary for life to evolve in the extremes. Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities are microbial ecosystems dwelling inside rocks of the Antarctic desert. We present the first 18 shotgun metagenomes from these communities to further characterize their composition, biodiversity, functionality, and adaptation. Future studies will integrate taxonomic and functional annotations to examine the pathways necessary for life to evolve in the extremes.
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18
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Coleine C, Stajich JE, Pombubpa N, Zucconi L, Onofri S, Selbmann L. Sampling strategies to assess microbial diversity of Antarctic cryptoendolithic communities. Polar Biol 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-020-02625-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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