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High protists diversity in the plankton of sulfurous lakes and lagoons examined by 18s rRNA gene sequence analyses
Author(s) -
TriadóMargarit Xavier,
Casamayor Emilio O.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
environmental microbiology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.229
H-Index - 69
ISSN - 1758-2229
DOI - 10.1111/1758-2229.12324
Subject(s) - anoxic waters , protist , hypolimnion , plankton , biology , ecology , species richness , 18s ribosomal rna , algae , phylogenetic diversity , biodiversity , ribosomal rna , phylogenetic tree , gene , eutrophication , nutrient , biochemistry
Summary Diversity of small protists was studied in sulfidic and anoxic (euxinic) stratified karstic lakes and coastal lagoons by 18S rRNA gene analyses. We hypothesized a major sulfide effect, reducing protist diversity and richness with only a few specialized populations adapted to deal with low‐redox conditions and high‐sulfide concentrations. However, genetic fingerprinting suggested similar ecological diversity in anoxic and sulfurous than in upper oxygen rich water compartments with specific populations inhabiting euxinic waters. Many of them agreed with genera previously identified by microscopic observations, but also new and unexpected groups were detected. Most of the sequences matched a rich assemblage of C iliophora (i.e., C oleps , P rorodon , P lagiopyla , S trombidium , M etopus , V orticella and C aenomorpha , among others) and algae (mainly C ryptomonadales ). Unidentified C ercozoa , F ungi , S tramenopiles and D iscoba were recurrently found. The lack of GenBank counterparts was higher in deep hypolimnetic waters and appeared differentially allocated in the different taxa, being higher within D iscoba and lower in C ryptophyceae . A larger number of populations than expected were specifically detected in the deep sulfurous waters, with unknown ecological interactions and metabolic capabilities.