Primary Microbial Succession in the Anchialine Ecosystem
James J Sterling1, Troy S Sakihara2, Pamela M Brannock3
1Dept. of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
Integrative and Comparative Biology
|June 10, 2022
Summary
Newly formed volcanic anchialine habitats host unique microbial communities, distinct from established ones. These early microbial consortia show unique successional patterns in Hawaii
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Microbiology
- Volcanology
Background:
- Initial microbial colonization is crucial for ecological succession in new environments.
- Primary microbial succession in new aquatic habitats from volcanic activity is understudied.
- Anchialine ecosystems in young lava flows provide a unique setting to investigate this process.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize microbial communities in newly formed Hawaiian anchialine habitats.
- To compare these young communities with those in established anchialine habitats.
- To assess temporal changes in microbial community structure over approximately one year.
Main Methods:
- Benthic samples were collected from three newly formed anchialine habitats.
- 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing was used to profile prokaryotic and eukaryotic communities.
- Community composition was analyzed for differences between new and established habitats and over time.
Main Results:
- Microbial communities in new habitats were distinct from established ones, with higher Planctomycetota and Chloroflexi, and lower green algae.
- Each new habitat exhibited a unique microbial community.
- Significant temporal changes occurred, but communities remained distinct from established habitats.
- New habitats showed significantly elevated temperatures.
Conclusions:
- Idiosyncratic microbial consortia form during the early succession of Hawaiian anchialine habitats.
- Further monitoring is needed to determine if these communities stabilize or converge with established ones.
- Young anchialine habitats may require special conservation status due to their unique microbial ecosystems.
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