Analysis of intergenic spacer region length polymorphisms to investigate the halophilic archaeal diversity of stromatolites and microbial mats |
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Authors: | S Leuko F Goh M A Allen B P Burns M R Walter B A Neilan |
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Institution: | (1) Australian Centre for Astrobiology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Macquarie University, NSW 2109 Sydney, Australia;(2) School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052 Sydney, Australia |
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Abstract: | Hamelin Pool in Western Australia is one of the two major sites in the world with active marine stromatolite formation. Surrounded
by living smooth and pustular mats, these ancient laminated structures are associated with cyanobacterial communities. Recent
studies have identified a wide diversity of bacteria and archaea in this habitat. By understanding and evaluating the microbial
diversity of this environment we can obtain insights into the formation of early life on Earth, as stromatolites have been
dated in the geological record as far back as 3.5 billion years. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) patterns
were shown to be a useful method to genetically discriminate halophilic archaea within this environment. Patterns of known
halophilic archaea are consistent, by replicate analysis, and the halophilic strains isolated from stromatolites have novel
intergenic spacer profiles. ARISA–PCR, performed directly on extracted DNA from different sample sites, provided significant
insights into the extent of previous unknown diversity of halophilic archaea within this environment. Cloning and sequence
analysis of the spacer regions obtained from stromatolites confirmed the novel and broad diversity of halophilic archaea in
this environment. |
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Keywords: | Shark Bay Stromatolites Intergenic spacer region Diversity Hypersaline environment ARISA |
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