Open AccessDiversity and distribution of H alomonas in R ambla S alada, a hypersaline environment in the southeast of S pain
Author(s) -
Oueriaghli Nahid,
GonzálezDomenech Carmen M.,
MartínezCheca Fernando,
Muyzer Gerard,
Ventosa Antonio,
Quesada Emilia,
Béjar Victoria
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
fems microbiology ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.377
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1574-6941
pISSN - 0168-6496
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6941.12237
Subject(s) - halomonas , biology , temperature gradient gel electrophoresis , denitrifying bacteria , species evenness , salinity , ecology , botany , species richness , 16s ribosomal rna , denitrification , bacteria , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , nitrogen
We have studied the diversity and distribution of H alomonas populations in the hypersaline habitat R ambla S alada (Murcia, southeastern Spain) by using different molecular techniques. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis ( DGGE ) using specific primers for the 16S rRNA gene of H alomonas followed by a multivariate analysis of the results indicated that richness and evenness of the H alomonas populations were mainly influenced by the season. We found no significant differences between the types of samples studied, from either watery sediments or soil samples. The highest value of diversity was reached in June 2006, the season with the highest salinity. Furthermore, canonical correspondence analysis ( CCA ) demonstrated that both salinity and pH significantly affected the structure of the H alomonas community. H alomonas almeriensis and two denitrifiers, H . ilicicola and H . ventosae were the predominant species. CARD ‐ FISH showed that the percentage of H alomonas cells with respect to the total number of microorganisms ranged from 4.4% to 5.7%. To study the functional role of denitrifying species, we designed new primer sets targeting denitrification nirS and nosZ genes. Using these primers, we analyzed sediments from the upwelling zone collected in June 2006, where we found the highest percentage of denitrifiers (74%). H alomonas ventosae was the predominant denitrifier in this site.