Isolation of novel bacteria, including a candidate division, from geothermal soils in New Zealand

We examined bacterial diversity of three geothermal soils in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA genes recovered directly from soils indicated that the bacterial communities differed in composition and richness, and were dominated by previously uncultured species of the phyla Actinobacteria , Acidobacteria , Chloroflexi , Proteobacteria and candidate division OP10. Aerobic, thermophilic, organotrophic bacteria were isolated using cultivation protocols that involved extended incubation times, low-pH media and gellan as a replacement gelling agent to agar. Isolates represented previously uncultured species, genera, classes, and even a new phylum of bacteria. They included members of the commonly cultivated phyla Proteobacteria , Firmicutes , Thermus/Deinococcus , Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes , as well as more-difficult-to-cultivate groups. Isolates possessing < 85% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity to any cultivated species were obtained from the phyla Acidobacteria , Chloroflexi and the previously uncultured candidate division OP10. Several isolates were prevalent in 16S rRNA gene clone libraries constructed directly from the soils. A key factor facilitating isolation was the use of gellan-solidified plates, where the gellan itself served as an energy source for certain bacteria. The results indicate that geothermal soils are a rich potential source of novel bacteria, and that relatively simple cultivation techniques are practical for isolating bacteria from these habitats.     

Effects of growth medium, inoculum size, and incubation time on culturability and isolation of soil bacteria

Soils are inhabited by many bacteria from phylogenetic groups that are poorly studied because representatives are rarely isolated in cultivation studies. Part of the reason for the failure to cultivate these bacteria is the low frequency with which bacterial cells in soil form visible colonies when inoculated onto standard microbiological media, resulting in low viable counts. We investigated the effects of three factors on viable counts, assessed as numbers of CFU on solid media, and on the phylogenetic groups to which the isolated colony-forming bacteria belong. These factors were inoculum size, growth medium, and incubation time. Decreasing the inoculum size resulted in significant increases in the viable count but did not appear to affect colony formation by members of rarely isolated groups. Some media that are traditionally used for soil microbiological studies returned low viable counts and did not result in the isolation of members of rarely isolated groups. Newly developed media, in contrast, resulted in high viable counts and in the isolation of many members of rarely isolated groups, regardless of the inoculum size. Increased incubation times of up to 3 months allowed the development of visible colonies of members of rarely isolated groups in conjunction with the use of appropriate media. Once isolated, pure cultures of members of rarely isolated groups took longer to form visible colonies than did members of commonly isolated groups. Using these new media and extended incubation times, we were able to isolate many members of the phyla Acidobacteria (subdivisions 1, 2, 3, and 4), Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, and Planctomycetes (including representatives of the previously uncultured WPS-1 lineage) as well as members of the subclasses Rubrobacteridae and Acidimicrobidae of the phylum Actinobacteria.     

Effect of pH on isolation and distribution of members of subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria occurring in soil

The pH strongly influenced the development of colonies by members of subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria on solid laboratory media. Significantly more colonies of this group formed at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.0. At pH 5.5, 7 to 8% of colonies that formed on plates that were incubated for 4 months were formed by subdivision 1 acidobacteria. These colonies were formed by bacteria that spanned almost the entire phylogenetic breadth of the subdivision, and there was considerable congruence between the diversity of this group as determined by the cultivation-based method and by surveying 16S rRNA genes in the same soil. Members of subdivision 1 acidobacteria therefore appear to be readily culturable. An analysis of published libraries of 16S rRNAs or 16S rRNA genes showed a very strong correlation between the abundance of subdivision 1 acidobacteria in soil bacterial communities and the soil pH. Subdivision 1 acidobacteria were most abundant in libraries from soils with pHs of <6, but rare or absent in libraries from soils with pHs of >6.5. This, together with the selective cultivation of members of the group on lower-pH media, indicates that growth of many members of subdivision 1 acidobacteria is favored by slightly to moderately acidic growth conditions.     

The presence of embedded bacterial pure cultures in agar plates stimulate the culturability of soil bacteria

Traditional methods for bacterial cultivation recover only a small fraction of bacteria from all sorts of natural environments, and attempts have been made to improve the bacterial culturability. Here we describe the development of a cultivation method, based on the embedment of pure bacterial cultures in between two layers of agar. Plates containing either embedded Pseudomonas putida or Arthrobacter globiformis resulted in higher numbers of CFUs of soil bacteria (21% and 38%, respectively) after 833 h of incubation, compared to plates with no embedded strain. This indicates a stimulatory effect of the bacterial pure cultures on the cultivation of soil bacteria. Analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a phylogenetical distribution of the soil isolates into 7 classes in 4 phyla. No difference was observed at the phylum or class level when comparing isolates grouped according to embedded strain. The number of isolates belonging to the same class as the embedded strain was reduced in comparison to that of plates with no embedded strain, indicating that intercellular signalling was unlikely to cause the observed stimulatory effect. Significantly higher fractions of isolates with less than 97% sequence homology to known sequenced isolates in GenBank were recovered from plates with embedded strains than from those without, which indicate a higher number of potential novel soil isolates. This approach for cultivation is therefore a feasible alternative or supplement to traditional cultivation on agar plates in order to enhance bacterial culturability.     

Effect of pH on Isolation and Distribution of Members of Subdivision 1 of the Phylum Acidobacteria Occurring in Soil

The pH strongly influenced the development of colonies by members of subdivision 1 of the phylum Acidobacteria on solid laboratory media. Significantly more colonies of this group formed at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.0. At pH 5.5, 7 to 8% of colonies that formed on plates that were incubated for 4 months were formed by subdivision 1 acidobacteria. These colonies were formed by bacteria that spanned almost the entire phylogenetic breadth of the subdivision, and there was considerable congruence between the diversity of this group as determined by the cultivation-based method and by surveying 16S rRNA genes in the same soil. Members of subdivision 1 acidobacteria therefore appear to be readily culturable. An analysis of published libraries of 16S rRNAs or 16S rRNA genes showed a very strong correlation between the abundance of subdivision 1 acidobacteria in soil bacterial communities and the soil pH. Subdivision 1 acidobacteria were most abundant in libraries from soils with pHs of <6, but rare or absent in libraries from soils with pHs of >6.5. This, together with the selective cultivation of members of the group on lower-pH media, indicates that growth of many members of subdivision 1 acidobacteria is favored by slightly to moderately acidic growth conditions.     

Detection and cultivation of soil verrucomicrobia

Only one isolate each of the class "Spartobacteria" (subdivision 2 of the phylum Verrucomicrobia) and of subdivision 3 of Verrucomicrobia have previously been reported to grow in laboratory culture. Using media that had been used successfully in other studies to isolate members of diverse groups of soil bacteria, we generated a collection of over 1,200 isolates from soil from a pasture. An oligonucleotide probe that targets the 16S rRNA genes of verrucomicrobia was used to screen this collection, and 14 new verrucomicrobia were identified. Nine of these belonged to the class "Spartobacteria" and were related to "Chthoniobacter flavus." Five further isolates were members of subdivision 3 and were related to the only known isolate of this subdivision. The differences in the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the new isolates and previously described isolates, of up to 10%, indicated that the new isolates represent new species and genera. All but two of the verrucomicrobial isolates were from colonies that first became visible one or more months after inoculation of plates with soil, but subcultures grew more rapidly. Analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rRNA genes in the pasture soil showed that members of the class "Spartobacteria" were more numerous than members of subdivision 3. Isolates of subdivision 3 were only found on plates receiving an inoculum that yielded a mean of 29 colonies per plate, while members of the class "Spartobacteria" were only found on plates receiving a more dilute inoculum that resulted in a mean of five colonies per plate. This suggested that colony development by members of the class "Spartobacteria" was inhibited by other culturable bacteria.     

四川冬菜中细菌群落组成及多样性

【目的】了解腌制4年的四川南充冬菜中细菌群落组成及多样性。【方法】通过16S rDNA多样性分析样品细菌落组成;采用16S rDNA-RFLP方法分析从样品中分离出的纯培养细菌。【结果】16S rDNA多样性分析结果表明,样品中细菌主要属于变形杆菌门(Proteobacteria)和厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),分别占克隆文库的87.9%、7.1%,其中包括Virgibacillus kekensis,Marinococcus albus,Salinicoccus sp.,Lactobacillus halophilus和Halomonas等中度嗜盐菌,仅有5%属于放线菌门(Actinobacteria)。通过纯培养方法从冬菜中分离到35株菌,16S rDNA-RFLP分析结果表明,34株属于厚壁菌门(Firmicutes),包括Virgibacillus,Bacillus megaterium和Gracilibacillus saliphilus等中度嗜盐菌,1株属于放线菌门(Actinobacteria)。【结论】冬菜中细菌群落多样性较低,以中度嗜盐菌为主。     

Across bacterial phyla, distantly-related genomes with similar genomic GC content have similar patterns of amino acid usage

The GC content of bacterial genomes ranges from 16% to 75% and wide ranges of genomic GC content are observed within many bacterial phyla, including both gram negative and gram positive phyla. Thus, divergent genomic GC content has evolved repeatedly in widely separated bacterial taxa. Since genomic GC content influences codon usage, we examined codon usage patterns and predicted protein amino acid content as a function of genomic GC content within eight different phyla or classes of bacteria. We found that similar patterns of codon usage and protein amino acid content have evolved independently in all eight groups of bacteria. For example, in each group, use of amino acids encoded by GC-rich codons increased by approximately 1% for each 10% increase in genomic GC content, while the use of amino acids encoded by AT-rich codons decreased by a similar amount. This consistency within every phylum and class studied led us to conclude that GC content appears to be the primary determinant of the codon and amino acid usage patterns observed in bacterial genomes. These results also indicate that selection for translational efficiency of highly expressed genes is constrained by the genomic parameters associated with the GC content of the host genome.     

山东地区盐碱土花生种子际土壤微生物群落结构的研究

【目的】以不同含盐量的滨海盐土、内陆盐碱土和中等肥力非盐碱土壤为实验对象,探讨花生种子在吸水膨胀与萌发过程中,不同类型盐碱土对种子际土壤微生物多样性变化的影响。【方法】采集不同含盐量的滨海盐土、内陆盐碱土和中等肥力非盐碱土壤,通过对各样品中细菌的16S r RNA基因的V3-V4区进行PCR扩增,利用Illumina Hiseq高通量测序技术对12份V3-V4高变区PCR产物进行测序,并对测序数据进行生物信息学分析。【结果】(1)盐碱土壤的种子际细菌群落多样性高于非盐碱土壤,且以东营青坨滨海盐土种子际土壤细菌群落多样性较高。(2)不同类型土壤样本微生物群落结构在纲水平存在明显差异。4种土壤类型种子际土壤细菌共分属于6个菌纲,分别为Proteobacteria、Actinobacteria、Actinobacteria、Bacteroidetes、Acidobacteria和Firmicutes菌纲,并均以Proteobacteria和Actinobacteria菌纲为主要菌纲。全样本菌落结构分析结果表明,4种类型土壤中不同吸胀时间内种子际微生物菌落在门、属水平上的类型和丰度差异最为显著(P0.05)。(3)beta多样性分析和各样本遗传距离(phylogenetic distances)聚类树图分析表明,4个土壤类型的12个土壤样本种子际土壤中微生物群落均可聚为2大类。【结论】土壤含盐量越高其种子际土壤细菌群落多样性较高。不同类型土壤样本微生物群落结构在纲水平存在明显差异,以Proteobacteria和Actinobacteria菌纲为主要菌纲。种子吸胀萌发时间影响种子际微生物菌落在门、属水平上的类型和丰度,但对相同土壤类型样本间遗传距离无影响。     

呼和浩特市大青山白桦根际土壤细菌群落结构研究

采用高通量测序技术对天然次生林生态系统演替过程中先锋树种白桦的根际土壤细菌多样性及群落结构进行了分析。研究结果表明:白桦根际土壤细菌隶属于28门、90纲、126目、213科、286属,在3个采样地中排名前8的优势细菌门的相对丰度均大于1%,分别为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)、放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、芽单胞菌门(Gemmatimonadetes)、绿弯菌门(Chloroflexi)、硝化螺旋菌门(Nitrospirae)、疣微菌门(Verrucomicrobia)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)。各样地中前3个门的相对丰度之和均在60%以上。对白桦根际土壤细菌的α多样性指数、门水平的聚类热图以及PCoA聚类结果的分析表明,3个采样地中,小井沟(B2)和哈达门森林公园(C2)白桦根际土壤细菌的物种组成更为接近,与井儿梁(A2)的物种组成有一定差异;且小井沟和哈达门森林公园的物种多样性及丰度(ACE指数)显著高于井儿梁,表明细菌对不同环境的适应能力有明显差异。对细菌群落结构与土壤理化性质的RDA分析及相关性分析表明,环境因子对白桦根际土壤细菌的影响顺序为:全氮TN酸碱度pH含水量WC速效钾AK硝态氮NN铵态氮AN有机质OM有效磷EP,其中,TN、pH和WC是白桦根际土壤优势细菌的主要影响因子。研究结果为深入认识森林生态系统中根际土壤细菌的群落结构和影响因子提供了理论依据。     

云南省富宁磁铁矿矿区可培养细菌多样性初步研究

目的对云南富宁磁铁矿矿区样品中可培养细菌进行分离并对其多样性进行了初步研究。方法采集云南富宁磁铁矿矿区土样和矿石样,采用固体肉汤培养基、卵黄培养基及PYGV培养基分离该矿区环境中的可培养细菌,利用16SrRNA基因序列分析构建系统发育树,并统计不同种属细菌的数量,初步评估细菌多样性。结果富宁磁铁矿矿区环境细菌的主要种群包括厚壁菌门、放线菌门和变形菌门的不同菌属：芽孢杆菌属、葡萄球菌属、节杆菌属和假单胞菌属的菌株,其中抗逆性较强的优势菌群为厚壁菌门的芽孢杆菌。结论本研究初步表明富宁磁铁矿矿区可培养细菌种类具有一定的多样性。     

宝天曼落叶阔叶林土壤细菌多样性

土壤微生物在森林生态系统中起着重要作用。高通量测序方法的出现为进一步认识土壤微生物提供了契机。本文利用Illumina Miseq高通量测序技术对宝天曼森林土壤的细菌多样性进行了初步研究。结果显示: 在31个采样点内, 随着采样点增加, 检测出不同分类水平的土壤细菌类群也在增多, 当采样点达到31个时, 检测出的土壤细菌类群达到45门163纲319目495科785属和42,632个OTU; 31个土壤样品中所检测出的细菌类群平均有34.2门114.7纲215.2目323.7科446.6属5,924.7个OTU, 其中门、纲、目分类水平上的优势类群(所占比例)分别为变形菌门(Proteobacteria)(38.30%)、α-变形菌纲(α-Proteobacteria)(18.08%)、根瘤菌目(Rhizobiales)(10.62%)。这些初步研究结果表明在一定程度上宝天曼森林土壤有较高的细菌多样性水平, 为进一步认识森林土壤细菌多样性与植物多样性关系等奠定了基础。     

Use of plate-wash samples to monitor the fates of culturable bacteria in mercury- and trichloroethylene-contaminated soils

With the ultimate aim of developing bioremediation technology that use the optimum bacterial community for each pollutant, we performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and phylogenetic analysis and identified communities of culturable bacteria in HgCl(2)- and trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated soil microcosms. PCR-DGGE band patterns were similar at 0 and 1 ppm HgCl(2), but changes in specific bands occurred at 10 ppm HgCl(2). Band patterns appearing at 10 and 100 ppm TCE were very different from those at 0 ppm. Phylogenetic analysis showed four bacterial groups in the HgCl(2)-contaminatied cultures: Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Most high-density bands, decreased-density bands, and common bands were classified into the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes, respectively; the effects of HgCl(2) on culturable bacteria appeared to differ among phyla. Duganella violaceinigra [98.4% similarity to DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) strain], Lysobacter koreensis (98.2%), and Bacillus panaciterrae (98.6%) were identified as bacteria specific to HgCl(2)-contaminated soils. Bacteria specific to TCE-contaminated soils were distributed into three phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria), but there was no clear relationship between phylum and TCE effects on culturable bacteria. Paenibacillus kobensis (97.3%), Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus (96.3%), Paenibacillus wynnii (99.8%), and Sphingomonas herbicidovorans (99.4%) were identified as bacteria specific to TCE-contaminated soils. These bacteria may be involved in pollutant degradation.     

Analysis of the phylogenetic diversity of estrone-degrading bacteria in activated sewage sludge using microautoradiography-fluorescence in situ hybridization

In situ uptake of [2,4,6,7-3H(N)]estrone ([3H]E1) by the major phylogenetic groups present in activated sludge samples from two different municipal wastewater treatment plants was investigated using microautoradiography-fluorescence in situ hybridization (MAR-FISH). Approximately 1-2% of the total cells confined in the samples by an EUB probe mix contributed to E1 assimilation. Almost all the detected E1-assimilating cells involved in the early phase of E1 degradation were affiliated with the Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria. In the early phase of E1 degradation, no E1-assimilating cells affiliated with the Alphaproteobacteria, Actinobacteria, the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium cluster of phylum Bacteroidetes, or the phyla Chloroflexi, Nitrospira and Planctomycetes were detected. Bacteria affiliated with the Betaproteobacteria in the shape of long rods or chains of rods were found to contribute most to in situ E1 degradation. They contributed 61% and 82% of total E1-assimilating cells in cultures from two sources of activated sludge spiked with [3H]E1. The E1-degrading bacteria related to the Betaproteobacteria differed phylogenetically from the aerobic E1-degrading bacterial isolates reported in previous studies. In addition, MAR-FISH revealed the significant contribution of E1-degrading bacteria affiliated with the Gammaproteobacteria in the degradation of E1 in activated sludge.     

Improved group‐specific primers based on the full SILVA 16S rRNA gene reference database

Quantitative PCR (qPCR) and community fingerprinting methods, such as the Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis, are well‐suited techniques for the examination of microbial community structures. The use of phylum‐ and class‐specific primers can provide enhanced sensitivity and phylogenetic resolution as compared with domain‐specific primers. To date, several phylum‐ and class‐specific primers targeting the 16S ribosomal RNA gene have been published. However, many of these primers exhibit low discriminatory power against non‐target bacteria in PCR. In this study, we evaluated the precision of certain published primers in silico and via specific PCR. We designed new qPCR and T‐RFLP primer pairs (for the classes Alphaproteobacteria and Betaproteobacteria, and the phyla Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria) by combining the sequence information from a public dataset (SILVA SSU Ref 102 NR) with manual primer design. We evaluated the primer pairs via PCR using isolates of the above‐mentioned groups and via screening of clone libraries from environmental soil samples and human faecal samples. As observed through theoretical and practical evaluation, the primers developed in this study showed a higher level of precision than previously published primers, thus allowing a deeper insight into microbial community dynamics.     

Rapid qualitative characterization of bacterial community in eutrophicated wastewater stabilization plant by T-RFLP method based on 16S rRNA genes

Waste stabilization ponds are a simple, low-cost extensive process for treating wastewater, and well adapted to low socio-economic conditions in developing countries where the microbial populations in these systems are not well characterized. The phylogenetic bacterial community structure within a Tunisian wastewater stabilization plant treating domestic wastewater was assessed by Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method targeting 16S rRNA genes and by the APLAUS+ software of the Microbial Community Analysis (MiCA) web based tool. The dimeric enzymatic digestion with HaeIII and HinfI restriction enzymes revealed high bacterial diversity within the plant where 11 bacterial phyla were identified. The total bacterial community structure includes bacteria catalysing nitrogen and phosphorus removal and bacteria involved in the sulfur cycle. The bacterial community was characterized by the dominance of Proteobacteria which was the most populous phylum (60%) followed by the Actinobacteria (20%), the Firmicutes (10.3%), the Bacteroidetes (2.3%), the Nitrospira (2.2%). Minor bacterial phyla groups occupied smaller fractions such as Chloroflexi, Deferribacteres and Verrumicrobia. T-RFLP analysis revealed also that The Proteobacteria phylum was characterized by the dominance of bacteria of The Gammaproteobacteria class.     

Culturable Bacterial Symbionts Isolated from Two Distinct Sponge Species (Pseudoceratina clavata and Rhabdastrella globostellata) from the Great Barrier Reef Display Similar Phylogenetic Diversity

The diversity of the culturable microbial communities was examined in two sponge species—Pseudoceratina clavata and Rhabdastrella globostellata. Isolates were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The bacterial community structures represented in both sponges were found to be similar at the phylum level by the same four phyla in this study and also at a finer scale at the species level in both Firmicutes and Alphaproteobacteria. The majority of the Alphaproteobacteria isolates were most closely related to isolates from other sponge species including alpha proteobacterium NW001 sp. and alpha proteobacterium MBIC3368. Members of the low %G + C gram-positive (phylum Firmicutes), high %G + C gram-positive (phylum Actinobacteria), and Cytophaga–Flavobacterium–Bacteroides (phylum Bacteroidetes) phyla of domain Bacteria were also represented in both sponges. In terms of culturable organisms, taxonomic diversity of the microbial community in the two sponge species displays similar structure at phylum level. Within phyla, isolates often belonged to the same genus-level monophyletic group. Community structure and taxonomic composition in the two sponge species P. clavata and Rha. globostellata share significant features with those of other sponge species including those from widely separated geographical and climatic regions of the sea.     

Phylogenetic diversity of microorganisms associated with the deep-water sponge Baikalospongia intermedia

The diversity of bacteria associated with deep-water sponge Baikalospongia intermedia was evaluated by sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes from two sponge samples collected in Lake Baikal from depths of 550 and 1204 m. A total of 64 operational taxonomic units, belonging to nine bacterial phyla, Proteobacteria (classes Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, and Deltaproteobacteria), Actinobacteria, Planctomycetes, Cloroflexi, Verrucomicrobia, Acidobacteria, Chlorobi, and Nitrospirae, including candidate phylum WS5, were identified. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the examined communities contained phylotypes exhibiting homology to uncultured bacteria from different lake ecosystems, freshwater sediments, soil and geological formations. Moreover, a number of phylotypes were relative to psychrophilic, methane-oxidizing, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and to microorganisms resistant to the influence of heavy metals. It is noted that the unusual habitation conditions of deep-water sponges contribute to the taxonomic diversity of associated bacteria and have an influence on the presence of functionally important microorganisms in bacterial communities.     

Diversity and Activity of Cellulose-Decomposing Bacteria,Isolated from a Sandy and a Loamy Soil after Long-Term Manure Application

The community of culturable cellulolytic bacteria was analyzed in two long-term experimental field sites on Albic Luvisol (silty sand) and Haplic Phaeozem (loam), with and without farmyard manure treatment. Against the backdrop of significant differences in soil properties, the bacterial community structure differed clearly between sites and was affected by manure application as analyzed by T-RFLP of 16S rDNA. The population densities of cellulolytic bacteria were significantly increased by manure application in Phaeozem. Cellulose decomposing potentials of 537 isolates were tested on soluble, colloidal, and crystalline cellulose. The results showed some evidence of a greater proportion of isolates with high decomposition activity in Luvisol, but no impact from manure application could be observed in both soils. Restriction analysis and sequencing of 16S rDNA of isolates revealed a rather simple community composition that was dominated by Streptomyces (67%). The composition of the RFLP groups was affected by manure application, which was most evident in Luvisol, whereas an effect of the soil type could not be found. Although abundant RFLP groups were assigned to phylogenetically different bacterial classes (Actinobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, and Gammaproteobacteria), cellulolytic activity could not consistently be differentiated. All in all, cellulolytic capabilities of the isolates were highly variable and did not map to phylogenetic affiliation.