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Bacterial Communities Associated With Spherical Nostoc Macrocolonies.
Pablo Aguilar1, Cristina Dorador2,3, Irma Vila4
1Lake and Glacier Ecology Research Group, Department of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
Frontiers in Microbiology
|April 6, 2019
Summary
Large Nostoc colonies create unique freshwater habitats. Specific bacterial communities thrive within the inner gelatinous matrix, distinct from the outer layer and surrounding waters.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Freshwater Ecology
- Cyanobacteria Research
Background:
- Nostoc colonies form unique microhabitats in freshwater, potentially harboring distinct bacterial communities.
- The internal environment of Nostoc colonies likely isolates bacteria from surrounding waters, influencing their dependence on the primary producer's metabolism.
- The existence and characteristics of bacterial communities specifically associated with free-living Nostoc colonies in lakes and streams remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diversity and community composition of bacteria within the gelatinous matrix (GM) of large Nostoc spp. colonies.
- To compare the bacterial communities of the inner GM with those of the colony's outer layer (OL) and the surrounding lake littoral zone.
- To explore the potential metabolic functions of the distinct bacterial communities associated with Nostoc colonies.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of large Nostoc spp. colonies (2-10 cm diameter) from high-altitude aquatic environments.
- Assessment of bacterial diversity and community composition within the inner GM and OL of colonies.
- Comparison of bacterial communities from the inner GM, OL, and the lake's littoral zone using molecular techniques.
Main Results:
- Bacterial alpha diversity was lower in the inner GM compared to the OL and the littoral zone.
- Significant differences in bacterial community composition were observed between the inner GM, OL, and littoral zone.
- Putative metabolic processes differed between the bacterial communities, suggesting functional specialization within the colony.
Conclusions:
- Nostoc macrocolonies harbor a specific bacterial community within their inner gelatinous matrix.
- The internal environment of Nostoc colonies exerts strong selective pressures on associated bacterial communities.
- These colonies represent unique, potentially active bacterial hotspots in oligotrophic freshwater ecosystems.
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