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Spatio-temporal patterns of Synechococcus oligotypes in Moroccan lagoonal environments
Bouchra Chaouni1,2,3, Abdellah Idrissi Azami4,5, Sanae Raoui6
1Laboratory of Plant and Microbial Biotechnology, Biodiversity and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University in Rabat, 10000, Rabat, Morocco.
Scientific Reports
|January 3, 2023
Summary
Synechococcus cyanobacteria distribution varied between two Moroccan lagoons. Marchica lagoon showed higher Synechococcus abundance than Oualidia, with unique clade patterns observed. Further research is needed to understand these microbial dynamics.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Cyanobacteria ecology
- Eutrophication bioindicators
Background:
- Synechococcus, unicellular cyanobacteria, are sensitive to environmental changes.
- They serve as bioindicators for marine ecosystem eutrophication.
- Understanding their distribution is crucial for monitoring lagoon health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of Synechococcus in two Moroccan lagoons.
- To identify dominant Synechococcus clades and oligotypes.
- To assess the potential of Synechococcus as bioindicators in these specific ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA amplicon oligotyping was employed.
- Samples were collected from Marchica and Oualidia lagoons in summers 2014 and 2015.
- Sequence reads were analyzed to determine Synechococcus community composition.
Main Results:
- Synechococcus reads were significantly higher in Marchica lagoon compared to Oualidia.
- Thirty-one Synechococcus oligotypes were identified, belonging to 10 distinct clades.
- Oligotype 1 (Clade III) dominated Marchica, with unusual co-occurrences of Clades IV and I.
- Low Synechococcus counts were observed in the Atlantic lagoon (Oualidia).
Conclusions:
- Synechococcus relative abundance is not constant across space and time.
- Rare Synechococcus members exhibited inconsistent distribution patterns.
- Environmental parameters likely influence the spatial and temporal dynamics of Synechococcus communities.
