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Glacial Influence Affects Modularity in Bacterial Community Structure in Three Deep Andean North-Patagonian Lakes
Beatriz Modenutti1, Nicolás Martyniuk1, Marcela Bastidas Navarro1
1Laboratorio de Limnología, INIBIOMA, CONICET-University of Comahue, Quintral 1250, 8400, Bariloche, Argentina.
Microbial Ecology
|February 3, 2023
Summary
Glacial meltwater influences Patagonian lake bacteria. Newly formed lakes show distinct communities driven by environmental filtering, while older lakes rely more on species interactions.
Area of Science:
- Limnology
- Microbial Ecology
- Glaciology
Background:
- Deep lakes in Patagonia receive meltwater from Mount Tronador glaciers.
- Lake characteristics (glacial connectivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids) vary significantly.
- Bacterial communities and ecological processes are influenced by these environmental gradients.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze bacterial community composition in three Patagonian lakes.
- Investigate ecological processes structuring these communities.
- Understand the impact of glacial meltwater and connectivity on microbial ecosystems.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of bacterial communities across three lakes.
- Assessment of environmental gradients, including total dissolved solids and glacial influence.
- Application of Net Relatedness Index (NRI) and co-occurrence network analysis.
Main Results:
- Lake Ventisquero Negro, a recently formed proglacial lake, hosts a distinct bacterial community influenced by glacier meltwater.
- Environmental filtering shapes the bacterial community in Lake Ventisquero Negro, while species interactions dominate in older lakes (Mascardi and Frías).
- Increased modularity and heterogeneity were observed in Lake Ventisquero Negro's bacterial network, with phototrophic bacteria (Cyanobium) present in the other two lakes.
Conclusions:
- Glacial connectivity and meltwater significantly impact bacterial community structure and ecological processes in Patagonian lakes.
- Changes in glacial influence due to climate change may alter microbial communities in downstream lakes.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for predicting the ecological consequences of receding glaciers.
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