Open AccessMolecular characterization of methanotrophic communities in forest soils that consume atmospheric methane
Author(s) -
Lau Evan,
Ahmad Azeem,
Steudler Paul A.,
Cavanaugh Colleen M.
Publication year - 2007
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/j.1574-6941.2007.00308.x
Subject(s) - methanotroph , biology , alphaproteobacteria , soil water , methane monooxygenase , 16s ribosomal rna , anaerobic oxidation of methane , atmospheric methane , soil microbiology , methane , abundance (ecology) , ecology , botany , bacteria , genetics
Methanotroph abundance was analyzed in control and long‐term nitrogen‐amended pine and hardwood soils using rRNA‐targeted quantitative hybridization. Family‐specific 16S rRNA and pmoA / amoA genes were analyzed via PCR‐directed assays to elucidate methanotrophic bacteria inhabiting soils undergoing atmospheric methane consumption. Quantitative hybridizations suggested methanotrophs related to the family Methylocystaceae were one order of magnitude more abundant than Methyloccocaceae and more sensitive to nitrogen‐addition in pine soils. 16S rRNA gene phylotypes related to known Methylocystaceae and acidophilic methanotrophs and pmoA / amoA gene sequences, including three related to the upland soil cluster Alphaproteobacteria (USCα) group, were detected across different treatments and soil depths. Our results suggest that methanotrophic members of the Methylocystaceae and Beijerinckiaceae may be the candidates for soil atmospheric methane consumption.