Open AccessIsolation of Sphaerotilus – Leptothrix strains from iron bacteria communities in Tierra del Fuego wetlands
Author(s) -
Schmidt Bertram,
Sánchez Leandro A.,
Fretschner Till,
Kreps Gastón,
Ferrero Marcela A.,
Siñeriz Faustino,
Szewzyk Ulrich
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 - 10.1111/1574-6941.12406
Subject(s) - biology , bacteria , 16s ribosomal rna , subspecies , library , botany , ecology , paleontology
Sheath‐forming iron‐ and manganese‐depositing bacteria belonging to the Sphaerotilus–Leptothrix group (SLG) are widespread in natural and artificial water systems. Known requirements for their growth include the presence of organic substrates and molecular oxygen. High concentrations of reduced iron or manganese, although not necessary for most species, make their growth a noticeable phenomenon. Such microbial communities have been studied mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. Here, we present descriptions of diverse ochre‐depositing microbial communities in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, using a combined approach of microscopical examination, clone library construction and cultivation focused on SLG bacteria. To date, only few SLG type strains are available. The present work increases the number and diversity of cultivated SLG bacteria by obtaining isolates from biofilms and sediment samples of wetlands in Tierra del Fuego. Thirty isolates were selected based on morphological features such as sheath formation and iron/manganese deposition. Five operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were deduced. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed that one OTU is identical to the Leptothrix mobilis Feox‐1 T ‐sequence while the four remaining OTUs show similarity values related to previously described type strains. Similarity values ranged from 96.5% to 98.8%, indicating possible new species and subspecies.