scholarly journals Microbial Community in Hyperalkaline Steel Slag-Fill Emulates Serpentinizing Springs

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 103 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ingemar Ohlsson ◽  
Jay T. Osvatic ◽  
Eric D. Becraft ◽  
Wesley D. Swingley

To date, a majority of studies of microbial life in hyperalkaline settings focus on environments that are also highly saline (haloalkaline). Haloalkaline conditions offer microbes abundant workarounds to maintain pH homeostasis, as salt ions can be exchanged for protons by dedicated antiporter proteins. Yet hyperalkaline freshwater systems also occur both naturally and anthropogenically, such as the slag fill aquifers around former Lake Calumet (Chicago, IL, USA). In this study, 16S rRNA gene sequences and metagenomic sequence libraries were collected to assess the taxonomic composition and functional potential of microbes present in these slag-polluted waterways. Relative 16S rRNA gene abundances in Calumet sediment and water samples describe community compositions not significantly divergent from those in nearby circumneutral conditions. Major differences in composition are mainly driven by Proteobacteria, primarily one sequence cluster closely related to Hydrogenophaga, which comprises up to 85% of 16S rRNA gene abundance in hyperalkaline surface sediments. Sequence identity indicates this novel species belongs to the recently established genus Serpentinomonas, a bacterial lineage associated with natural freshwater hyperalkaline serpentinizing springs.

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e2836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilias Lagkouvardos ◽  
Sandra Fischer ◽  
Neeraj Kumar ◽  
Thomas Clavel

The importance of 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiles for understanding the influence of microbes in a variety of environments coupled with the steep reduction in sequencing costs led to a surge of microbial sequencing projects. The expanding crowd of scientists and clinicians wanting to make use of sequencing datasets can choose among a range of multipurpose software platforms, the use of which can be intimidating for non-expert users. Among available pipeline options for high-throughput 16S rRNA gene analysis, the R programming language and software environment for statistical computing stands out for its power and increased flexibility, and the possibility to adhere to most recent best practices and to adjust to individual project needs. Here we present the Rhea pipeline, a set of R scripts that encode a series of well-documented choices for the downstream analysis of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) tables, including normalization steps,alpha- andbeta-diversity analysis, taxonomic composition, statistical comparisons, and calculation of correlations. Rhea is primarily a straightforward starting point for beginners, but can also be a framework for advanced users who can modify and expand the tool. As the community standards evolve, Rhea will adapt to always represent the current state-of-the-art in microbial profiles analysis in the clear and comprehensive way allowed by the R language. Rhea scripts and documentation are freely available athttps://lagkouvardos.github.io/Rhea.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 494
Author(s):  
Camila G. C. Lemes ◽  
Morghana M. Villa ◽  
Érica B. Felestrino ◽  
Luiza O. Perucci ◽  
Renata A. B. Assis ◽  
...  

The Iron Quadrangle (IQ) is one of the main iron ore producing regions of the world. The exploitation of its reserves jeopardizes the high biological endemism associated with this region. This work aimed to understand the diversity and bacterial potential associated with IQ caves. Floor and ceiling samples of seven ferruginous caves and one quartzite cave were collected, and their microbial relative abundance and diversity were established by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing data. The results showed that ferruginous caves present higher microbial abundance and greater microbial diversity compared to the quartzite cave. Many species belonging to genera found in these caves, such as Pseudonocardia and Streptacidiphilus, are known to produce biomolecules of biotechnological interest as macrolides and polyketides. Moreover, comparative analysis of microbial diversity and metabolic potential in a biofilm in pendant microfeature revealed that the microbiota associated with this structure is more similar to the floor rather than ceiling samples, with the presence of genera that may participate in the genesis of these cavities, for instance, Ferrovum, Geobacter, and Sideroxydans. These results provide the first glimpse of the microbial life in these environments and emphasize the need of conservation programs for these areas, which are under intense anthropogenic exploration.


mSystems ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Briallen Lobb ◽  
Rhiannon Hodgson ◽  
Michael D. J. Lynch ◽  
Michael J. Mansfield ◽  
Jiujun Cheng ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Despite progress understanding microbial communities involved in terrestrial vertebrate decomposition, little is known about the microbial decomposition of aquatic vertebrates from a functional and environmental context. Here, we analyzed temporal changes in the “necrobiome” of rainbow darters, which are common North American fish that are sensitive indicators of water quality. By combining 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequence data from four time points, we studied the progression of decomposers from both taxonomic and functional perspectives. The 16S rRNA gene profiles revealed strong community succession, with early decomposition stages associated with Aeromonas and Clostridium taxa and later stages dominated by members of the Rikenellaceae (i.e., Alistipes/Acetobacteroides genera). These results were reproducible and independent of environmental perturbation, given that exposure to wastewater treatment plant effluent did not substantially influence the necrobiome composition of fish or the associated water sample microbiota. Metagenomic analysis revealed significant changes throughout decomposition in degradation pathways for amino acids, carbohydrates/glycans, and other compounds, in addition to putrefaction pathways for production of putrescine, cadaverine, and indole. Binning of contigs confirmed a predominance of Aeromonas genome assemblies, including those from novel strains related to the pathogen Aeromonas veronii. These bins of Aeromonas genes also encoded known hemolysin toxins (e.g., aerolysin) that were particularly abundant early in the process, potentially contributing to host cell lysis during decomposition. Overall, our results demonstrate that wild-caught fish have a reproducible decomposer succession and that the fish necrobiome serves as a potential source of putative pathogens and toxigenic bacteria. IMPORTANCE The microbial decomposition of animal tissues is an important ecological process that impacts nutrient cycling in natural environments. We studied the microbial decomposition of a common North American fish (rainbow darters) over four time points, combining 16S rRNA gene and shotgun metagenomic sequence data to obtain both taxonomic and functional perspectives. Our data revealed a strong community succession that was reproduced across different fish and environments. Decomposition time point was the main driver of community composition and functional potential; fish environmental origin (upstream or downstream of a wastewater treatment plant) had a secondary effect. We also identified strains related to the putative pathogen Aeromonas veronii as dominant members of the decomposition community. These bacteria peaked early in decomposition and coincided with the metagenomic abundance of hemolytic toxin genes. Our work reveals a strong decomposer succession in wild-caught fish, providing functional and taxonomic insights into the vertebrate necrobiome.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1854
Author(s):  
J. C. Plaizier ◽  
P. Azevedo ◽  
B. L. Schurmann ◽  
P. Górka ◽  
G. B. Penner ◽  
...  

Effects of the duration of moderate grain feeding on the taxonomic composition of gastrointestinal microbiota were determined in 15 Holstein yearling steers. Treatments included feeding a diet of 92% dry matter (DM) hay (D0), and feeding a 41.5% barley grain diet for 7 (D7) or 21 d (D21) before slaughter. At slaughter, digesta samples were collected from six regions, i.e., the rumen, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon, and rectum. Extracted DNA from these samples was analyzed using MiSeq Illumina sequencing of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Three distinct PCoA clusters existed, i.e., the rumen, the jejunum/ileum, and the cecum/colon/rectum. Feeding the grain diet for 7 d reduced microbial diversity in all regions, except the ileum. Extending the duration of grain feeding from 7 to 21 d did not affect this diversity further. Across regions, treatment changed the relative abundances of 89 genera. Most of the changes between D0 and D7 and between D7 and D21 were opposite, demonstrating the resilience of gastrointestinal microbiota to a moderate increase in grain feeding. Results show that the duration of a moderate increase in grain feeding affects how gastrointestinal microbiota respond to this increase.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arwyn Edwards ◽  
Aliyah R. Debbonaire ◽  
Samuel M. Nicholls ◽  
Sara M.E. Rassner ◽  
Birgit Sattler ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn the field of observation, chance favours only the prepared mind (Pasteur). Impressive developments in genomics have led microbiology to its third “Golden Age”. However, conventional metagenomics strategies necessitate retrograde transfer of samples from extreme or remote environments for later analysis, rendering the powerful insights gained retrospective in nature, striking a contrast with Pasteur’s dictum. Here we implement highly portable USB-based nanopore DNA sequencing platforms coupled with field-adapted environmental DNA extraction, rapid sequence library generation and off-line analyses of shotgun metagenome and 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon profiles to characterize microbiota dwelling within cryoconite holes upon Svalbard glaciers, the Greenland Ice Sheet and the Austrian Alps. We show in-field nanopore sequencing of metagenomes captures taxonomic composition of supraglacial microbiota, while 16S rRNA Furthermore, comparison of nanopore data with prior 16S rRNA gene V1-V3 pyrosequencing from the same samples, demonstrates strong correlations between profiles obtained from nanopore sequencing and laboratory based sequencing approaches. gene amplicon sequencing resolves bacterial community responses to habitat changes. Finally, we demonstrate the fidelity and sensitivity of in-field sequencing by analysis of mock communities using field protocols. Ultimately, in-field sequencing potentiated by nanopore devices raises the prospect of enhanced agility in exploring Earth’s most remote microbiomes.


2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shamimul Alam ◽  
Hawa Jahan ◽  
Rowshan Ara Begum ◽  
Reza M Shahjahan

Heteropneustesfossilis, Clariasbatrachus and C. gariepinus are three major catfishes ofecological and economic importance. Identification of these fish species becomes aproblem when the usual external morphological features of the fish are lost or removed,such as in canned fish. Also, newly hatched fish larva is often difficult to identify. PCRsequencingprovides accurate alternative means of identification of individuals at specieslevel. So, 16S rRNA genes of three locally collected catfishes were sequenced after PCRamplification and compared with the same gene sequences available from othergeographical regions. Multiple sequence alignment of the 16S rRNA gene fragments ofthe catfish species has revealed polymorphic sites which can be used to differentiate thesethree species from one another and will provide valuable insight in choosing appropriaterestriction enzymes for PCR-RFLP based identification in future. Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 41(1): 51-58, June 2015


2020 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 161-174
Author(s):  
R Palmer ◽  
GTA Fleming ◽  
S Glaeser ◽  
T Semmler ◽  
A Flamm ◽  
...  

During 1992 and 1993, a bacterial disease occurred in a seawater Atlantic salmon Salmo salar farm, causing serious mortalities. The causative agent was subsequently named as Oceanivirga salmonicida, a member of the Leptotrichiaceae. Searches of 16S rRNA gene sequence databases have shown sequence similarities between O. salmonicida and uncultured bacterial clones from the digestive tracts of marine mammals. In the current study, oral samples were taken from stranded dolphins (common dolphin Delphinus delphis, striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba) and healthy harbour seals Phoca vitulina. A bacterium with growth characteristics consistent with O. salmonicida was isolated from a common dolphin. The isolate was confirmed as O. salmonicida, by comparisons to the type strain, using 16S rRNA gene, gyrB, groEL, and recA sequence analyses, average nucleotide identity analysis, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Metagenomic analysis indicated that the genus Oceanivirga represented a significant component of the oral bacterial microbiomes of the dolphins and seals. However, sequences consistent with O. salmonicida were only found in the dolphin samples. Analyses of marine mammal microbiome studies in the NCBI databases showed sequences consistent with O. salmonicida from the common dolphin, striped dolphin, bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus, humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae, and harbour seal. Sequences from marine environmental studies in the NCBI databases showed no sequences consistent with O. salmonicida. The findings suggest that several species of marine mammals are natural hosts of O. salmonicida.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
CC Kim ◽  
WJ Kelly ◽  
ML Patchett ◽  
GW Tannock ◽  
Z Jordens ◽  
...  

© 2017 IUMS. A novel anaerobic pectinolytic bacterium (strain 14T) was isolated from human faeces. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain 14T belonged to the family Ruminococcaceae, but was located separately from known clostridial clusters within the taxon. The closest cultured relative of strain 14T was Acetivibrio cellulolyticus (89.7% sequence similarity). Strain 14T shared ~99% sequence similarity with cloned 16S rRNA gene sequences from uncultured bacteria derived from the human gut. Cells were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile cocci approximately 0.6μm in diameter. Strain 14T fermented pectins from citrus peel, apple, and kiwifruit as well as carbohydrates that are constituents of pectins and hemicellulose, such as galacturonic acid, xylose, and arabinose. TEM images of strain 14T, cultured in association with plant tissues, suggested extracellular fibrolytic activity associated with the bacterial cells, forming zones of degradation in the pectin-rich regions of middle lamella. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis supported the differentiation of strain 14T as a novel genus in the family Ruminococcaceae. The name Monoglobus pectinilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 14T (JCM 31914T=DSM 104782T).


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document