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Microbiota of Attine Ants' Gardens: Visualizing a Microbial Landscape by Scanning Electron Microscopy
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Spatial patterns and links between microbial community composition and function in cyanobacterial mats.

Mohammad A A Al-Najjar1, Alban Ramette2, Michael Kühl3

  • 1Microsensor Group, Max-Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology Bremen, Germany ; Marine Microbial Ecology Group, Red Sea Research Center, KAUST Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 23, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Photosynthetic capacity in cyanobacterial mats varies significantly at the sub-millimeter scale, comparable to global differences. Microbial community composition strongly correlates with these functional variations, suggesting adaptation to local environments.

Keywords:
biogeographyhyperspectral imagingimaging PAMmicrobial community structurephotosynthetic microbial matsspatial link between structure and function

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial Ecology
  • Photosynthesis Research
  • Benthic Ecosystems

Background:

  • Cyanobacterial mats are vital primary producers in diverse aquatic environments.
  • Understanding spatial variability in photosynthetic capacity is crucial for ecosystem function.
  • Previous studies have focused on larger scales, leaving micro-scale variations under-explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify spatial variability in photosynthetic parameters within and between global cyanobacterial mats.
  • To investigate the relationship between photosynthetic function and microbial community composition.
  • To assess variability at sub-millimeter, within-mat, and between-site scales.

Main Methods:

  • Imaging of reflectance and variable fluorescence in 25 cyanobacterial mats from four global sites.
  • Measurement of absorptivity by chlorophyll a (A chl), maximum quantum yield (Y max), and light acclimation irradiance (I k).
  • Community composition analysis using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA).

Main Results:

  • Significant physiological parameter variability observed at the sub-millimeter scale, with greater vertical than horizontal variation.
  • Vertical profiles showed decreasing Y max and I k with depth, and a sub-surface A chl maximum.
  • Within-mat variability rivaled or exceeded between-site variability; mats clustered by site, correlating with ARISA profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Spatial variability in photosynthetic capacity is substantial at the sub-millimeter scale, mirroring global-scale patterns.
  • A strong link exists between cyanobacterial community composition and photosynthetic function.
  • Site-specific environmental conditions likely drive community adaptation and observed functional patterns.