Application of Several Molecular Techniques to Study Numerically Predominant Bifidobacterium spp. and Bacteroidales Order Strains in the Feces of Healthy Children

Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides-like bacteria are strictly anaerobic nonpathogenic members of human intestinal microflora. Here we describe an analysis of the species and subspecies composition of these bacterial populations in healthy children using a combination of culture and molecular methods at two different time points. It was found that B. bifidum and B. longum are the most common dominant taxons in infants aged between 8 and 16 months. The majority of the infants carried several dominant Bifidobacterium strains belonging to different species. Examination of the dominant bifidoflora in some of these children after a 5-year period showed major shifts in both species and strain composition, but the dominant strains remained unchanged in two children. The majority of dominant Bacteroides-like isolates belonged to species B. vulgatus and B. uniformis, but members of genera Alistipes and Barnesiella were common too. In addition, a novel approach to species identification of Bacteroidales order bacteria using amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) is described.     

Comparison of the Morphology and Deoxyribonucleic Acid Composition of 27 Strains of Nitrifying Bacteria

The gross morphology, fine structure, and per cent guanine plus cytosine (GC) composition of deoxyribonucleic acid of 27 strains of nitrifying bacteria were compared. Based on morphological differences, the ammonia-oxidizing bacteria were separated into four genera. Nitrosomonas species and Nitrosocystis species formed one homogenous group, and Nitrosolobus species and Nitrosospira species formed a second homogenous group in respect to their deoxyribonucleic acid GC compositions. Similarly, the nitrite-oxidizing bacteria were separated into three genera based on their morphology. The members of two of these nitrite-oxidizing genera, Nitrobacter and Nitrococcus, had similar GC compositions, but Nitrospina gracilis had a significantly lower GC composition than the members of the other two genera.     

青海湖嗜盐微生物系统发育与种群多样性

青海湖是我国境内最大的内陆咸水湖泊,水体中嗜盐微生物的生存现状尚不明确。本研究利用OSM培养基(Oesterhelt-Stoeckenius medium),从湖域生境水样中富集和分离获得嗜盐微生物35株,以中度嗜盐菌为主,约占62.9%(22株);轻度嗜盐菌次之,约占22.9%(8株);耐盐菌与非嗜盐菌分别占11.4%(4株)和2.9%(1株)。根据16SrDNA序列的系统发育分析表明,γ-变形菌纲(γ-Proteobacteria)菌株最多,约占68.6%(24株);芽孢杆菌纲次之,约占17.1%(6株);放线菌纲、α-变形菌纲(α-Proteobacteria,1株)和散囊菌亚纲(Eurotiomycetidae,1株)的类群相对较少。这些嗜盐菌属于14个属,其中以海洋螺菌目盐单胞菌属(Halomonas)为优势种群,共计10株;其次为海单胞菌属(Marinomonas),共4株。中度嗜盐菌盐单胞菌属应为青海湖嗜盐菌的优势种群,可能因为相对偏低的盐度环境,为其长期进化和适应性生存提供了必要条件。     

Phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of bacteria degrading aromatic compounds under denitrifying conditions,and description of Thauera phenylacetica sp. nov., Thauera aminoaromaticasp. nov., and Azoarcus buckelii sp. nov

Six strains of denitrifying bacteria isolated from various oxic and anoxic habitats on different monocyclic aromatic substrates were characterized by sequencing 16S rRNA genes, determining physiological and morphological traits, and DNA-DNA hybridization. According to these criteria, strains S100, SP and LG356 were identified as members of Thauera aromatica. Strains B5-1 and B5-2 were tentatively affiliated to the species Azoarcus tolulyticus. Strains B4P and S2 were only distantly related to each other and to other described Thauera species. These two strains are proposed as the type strains of two new species, Thauera phenylacetica sp. nov. and Thauera aminoaromaticasp. nov., respectively. By 16S rRNA gene analysis, strain U120 was highly related to the type strains of Azoarcus evansii and Azoarcus anaerobius, whereas corresponding DNA-DNA reassociation values indicated only a low degree of genomic relatedness. Based upon a low DNA similarity value and the presence of distinguishing physiological properties, strain U120 is proposed as the type strain of a new species, Azoarcus buckelii sp. nov. Almost all of the new isolates were obtained with different substrates. The highly varied substrate spectra of the isolates indicates that an even higher diversity of denitrifying bacteria degrading aromatic compounds would be discovered in the different habitats by using a larger spectrum of aromatic substrates for enrichment and isolation.     

青藏高原垫状点地梅叶际及内生可培养微生物多样性

【背景】垫状点地梅作为青藏高原最具代表性的垫状植物,其叶际和内生微生物对适应极端环境有重要意义,同时也是一种独特的资源。【目的】探究垫状点地梅叶际和叶内可培养微生物多样性,以及不同生存状态个体之间的微生物差异。【方法】采用纯培养方法分离和纯化3个不同地区垫状点地梅叶际和叶内的细菌、酵母菌和丝状真菌,并用16S rRNA基因和ITS区域序列进行分析鉴定。【结果】最终得到叶际微生物350株,鉴定为22属49种,优势种为Penicillium sajarovii;内生微生物274株,鉴定为19属45种,优势种为Bacillusmycoides;两者的优势属均为Penicillium。垫状点地梅叶际和叶内之间及不同生存状态个体之间微生物的α多样性大多无显著差异,各群落间的成员也有重叠,但物种组成存在显著的空间异质性。【结论】垫状点地梅叶际和叶内有着丰富的可培养微生物资源,来源于不同生存状态的个体或不同部位的微生物物种组成差别较大,微生物对不同环境的选择偏好形成了不同的群落模式。但这些不同来源的微生物群落之间同样存在高比例的共有菌株,这些共有菌株的异养方式和生态位并不固定,可兼共生和腐生生存,生...     

可产生铁载体的春兰根内生细菌多样性

摘要：【目的】了解可产生铁载体的春兰根内生细菌的多样性,以便筛选到高效的植物促生细菌。【方法】采用CAS检测法测定了189株春兰根内生细菌产生铁载体的能力,并结合16S rRNA基因系统发育分析对可产铁载体的春兰根内生细菌多样性进行了研究。【结果】从189株春兰内生细菌中筛选到47株可产生铁载体的细菌,占菌株总数的24.9%。16S rRNA基因系统发育分析结果表明,47株细菌分属于4个系统发育类群（Alphaproteobacteria,Betaproteobacteria,Firmicutes,Actinobacteria）,17个属的31个种。其中放线菌门为最优势类群（42.6%）,芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）和贪噬菌属（Variovorax）为优势菌属,且贪噬菌属为高产铁载体的主体菌属。另外有2个菌株可能代表两个不同属的新物种。【结论】春兰根中可产生铁载体的内生细菌具有丰富的多样性。     

家蚕幼虫中肠细菌群落多样性的PCR-DGGE和16S rDNA文库序列分析

采用基于16S rDNA 的变性梯度凝胶电泳（denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, DGGE）和16S rDNA文库序列分析的手段,研究了重要经济昆虫家蚕Bombyx mori 2个品系——专食性品系C108和广食性品系SCN2幼虫中肠内的细菌群落多样性,同时还探讨了食料对家蚕中肠内细菌群落结构的影响。文库序列分析表明,PCR 扩增得到的16S rDNA基因代表了家蚕中肠内的41种细菌系统发育型（phylotype）,大多数属于Proteobacteria,其次是Lactobacillales。此外,还有少数属于Deinococcus-Thermus、Bacillales、Clostridiales和Actinobacteria,尚有5种系统发育型不能确定其所属类型。家蚕的这2个品系中,肠球菌属Enterococcus是其中肠细菌的优势菌群,栖热菌属Thermus是次优势菌群。优势菌肠球菌属的组成在品系和不同食料喂养条件下有着一定的变化,无桑饲料喂养条件下SCN2品系中肠内还出现了新的次优势菌葡萄球菌（Staphylococcus）。DGGE图谱显示家蚕低龄幼虫和高龄幼虫肠道细菌格局存在差异,推测可能与其发育期生理状态的差异有关。本研究结果提示家蚕肠道特殊菌群的出现可能与其特殊的食性有一定的关系,食料改变、生长受阻后肠道微生态平衡也发生变化。     

Nucleic Acid Homologies Among Oxidase-Negative Moraxella Species

The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base composition and DNA homologies of more than 40 strains of oxidase-negative Moraxella species were determined. These bacteria have also been identified as belonging to the Mima-Herellea-Acinetobacter group and the Bacterium anitratum group, as well as to several other genera including Achromobacter and Alcaligenes. The DNA base content of these strains ranged from 40 to 46% guanine plus cytosine. DNA-DNA competition experiments distinguished five groups whose members were determined by showing 50% or more homology to one of the reference strains: B. anitratum type B5W, Achromobacter haemolyticus var. haemolyticus, Alcaligenes haemolysans, Achromobacter metalcaligenes, and Moraxella lwoffi. A sixth group comprised those strains showing less than 50% homology to any of the reference strains. Negligible homology was found between strains of oxidase-negative and oxidase-positive Moraxella species in DNA-DNA competition experiments. However, evidence of a distant relationship between the two groups was obtained in competition experiments by using ribosomal ribonucleic acid.     

Diversity and antibacterial activity of bacteria isolated from the coastal marine sponges Amphilectus fucorum and Eurypon major

Aims: To assess the diversity and antimicrobial activity of culturable bacteria associated with two temperate‐water marine sponges, Amphilectus fucorum and Eurypon major. Methods and Results: Sponge samples were collected in August 2008 and bacteria were cultured on several different media. The 16S rRNA gene of representative strains was sequenced to allow classification. It was found that Proteobacteria were the dominant group of bacteria cultured from both sponges, but overall, the bacterial composition was diverse and distinct between the sponges. The most notable features were the significantly higher proportion of firmicutes in E. major and the low frequency of actinobacteria in both sponges. Four bacterial isolates were identified as potentially novel species and will be characterised in future studies. Approximately 400 cultured bacteria were screened for antimicrobial activity against a collection of indicator strains, with only eight strains, all Pseudovibrio spp., displaying any such activity. These strains were active against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis but not Staphylococcus aureus or a selection of fungal strains. Conclusions: Diverse and distinct populations of culturable bacteria are present in the coastal sponges A. fucorum and E. major. Only a minority of isolates produce antibacterial metabolites in culture, but this activity is common in Pseudovibrio spp. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study illustrates the diversity of sponge‐associated bacteria and the need to increase our knowledge about the function of these symbiotic bacteria. The data suggest that production of antibacterial metabolites is restricted to a subset of species, with the majority involved in other functions. The importance of Pseudovibrio as a reservoir of antibacterial metabolites is also highlighted.     

Evaluation of an rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probe for the detection of mosquitocidal strains of Bacillus sphaericus in soils: characterization of novel strains lacking toxin genes

Abstract: Colonies of Bacillus sphaericus on primary isolation have been identified using an oligonucleotide probe targeted to a specific region of the 16S rRNA. Of 3440 colonies from soil samples from Brazil, 57 hybridized to the probe in colony blots but when purified DNA was used in slot-blots the probe was more specific and only 27 isolates hybridized. Of these, 20 strains were confirmed as members of DNA homology group IIA (potential mosquitocidal strains) by ribotyping and isoenzyme analysis. However, none of these strains was toxic to Anopheles or Culex larvae, nor did they contain recognized toxin genes. This is the first demonstration of such non-pathogenic strains of B. sphaericus DNA homology group IIA and their common occurrence suggests that pathogenicity is not an important contribution to the success of these bacteria in the environment. Similar screening of strains from Scottish soils indicated that B. sphaericus DNA homology group IIA strains were less common in this habitat and none were recovered on this occasion.     

Identification of and spatio-temporal differences between microbial assemblages from two neighboring sulfurous lakes: comparison by microscopy and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

The microbial assemblages of Lake Cisó and Lake Vilar (Banyoles, northeast Spain) were analyzed in space and time by microscopy and by performing PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Samples obtained from different water depths and at two different times of the year (in the winter during holomixis and in the early spring during a phytoplankton bloom) were analyzed. Although the lakes have the same climatic conditions and the same water source, the limnological parameters were different, as were most of the morphologically distinguishable photosynthetic bacteria enumerated by microscopy. The phylogenetic affiliations of the predominant DGGE bands were inferred by performing a comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Sequences obtained from Lake Cisó samples were related to gram-positive bacteria and to members of the division Proteobacteria. Sequences obtained from Lake Vilar samples were related to members of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum and to cyanobacteria. Thus, we found that like the previously reported differences between morphologically distinct inhabitants of the two lakes, there were also differences among the community members whose morphologies did not differ conspicuously. The changes in the species composition from winter to spring were also marked. The two lakes both contained sequences belonging to phototrophic green sulfur bacteria, which is consistent with microscopic observations, but these sequences were different from the sequences of cultured strains previously isolated from the lakes. Euryarchaeal sequences (i.e., methanogen- and thermoplasma-related sequences) also were present in both lakes. These euryarchaeal group sequences dominated the archaeal sequences in Lake Cisó but not in Lake Vilar. In Lake Vilar, a new planktonic population related to the crenarchaeota produced the dominant archaeal band. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that new bacterial and archaeal lineages were present and that the microbial diversity of these assemblages was greater than previously known. We evaluated the correspondence between the abundances of several morphotypes and DGGE bands by comparing microscopy and sequencing results. Our data provide evidence that the sequences obtained from the DGGE fingerprints correspond to the microorganisms that are actually present at higher concentrations in the natural system.     

The phylogenetic significance of peptidoglycan types: Molecular analysis of the genera Microbacterium and Aureobacterium based upon sequence comparison of gyrB, rpoB, recA and ppk and 16SrRNA genes

The type strains of 27 species of the genus Microbacterium, family Microbacteriaceae, were analyzed with respect to the phylogeny of the housekeeping genes coding for DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB), RNA-polymerase subunit B (rpoB), recombinase A (recA) and polyphosphate kinase (ppk). The resulting gene trees were compared to the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny of the same species. The topology of neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony phylogenetic trees based upon nucleic acid sequences and protein sequences of housekeeping genes differed among each other and no gene tree was identical to that of the 16S rRNA gene tree. Only some species showed consistent clustering by all genes analyzed, but the majority of species branched with different neighbours in most gene trees. The failure to phylogenetically cluster type strains into two groups based upon differences in the amino acid composition of peptidoglycan on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, once leading to the union of the genera Microbacterium and Aureobacterium, was also seen in the analysis of recA, rpoB and gyrB gene and protein phylogenies. Analysis of the pkk gene and protein as well as of a concatenate tree, combining sequences of all five genes (total of 3.700 nucleotides), sees members of the former genus Aureobacterium and other type strains with lysine as diagnostic diamino acid to form a coherent cluster that branches within the radiation of Microbacterium species with ornithine in the peptidoglycan.     

Diversity among Field Populations of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in Poland

Genetic structure in field populations of Bradyrhizobium japonicum isolated in Poland was determined by using several complementary techniques. Of the 10 field sites examined, only 4 contained populations of indigenous B. japonicum strains. The Polish bradyrhizobia were divided into at least two major groups on the basis of protein profiles on polyacrylamide gels, serological reaction with polyclonal antisera, repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR fingerprints of genomic DNA, and Southern hybridization analyses with nif and nod gene probes. Serological analyses indicated that 87.5% of the Polish B. japonicum isolates tested were in serogroups 123 and 129, while seven (12.5%) of the isolates tested belonged to their own unique serogroup. These seven strains also could be grouped together on the basis of repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR fingerprints, protein profiles, and Southern hybridization analyses. Cluster analyses indicated that the seven serologically undefined isolates were genetically dissimilar from the majority of the Polish B. japonicum strains. Moreover, immuno-cross-adsorption studies indicated that although the Polish B. japonicum strains reacted with polyclonal antisera prepared against strain USDA123, the majority failed to react with serogroup 123- and 129-specific antisera, suggesting that Polish bradyrhizobia comprise a unique group of root nodule bacteria which have only a few antigens in common with strains USDA123 and USDA129. Nodulation studies indicated that members of the serologically distinct group were very competitive for nodulation of Glycine max cv. Nawiko. None of the Polish serogroup 123 or 129 isolates were restricted for nodulation by USDA123- and USDA129-restricting soybean plant introduction genotypes. Taken together, our results indicate that while genetically diverse B. japonicum strains were isolated from some Polish soils, the majority of field sites contained no soybean-nodulating bacteria. In addition, despite the lack of long-term soybean production in Poland, field populations of unique B. japonicum strains are present in some Polish soils and these strains are very competitive for nodulation of currently used Polish soybean varieties.     

Bacteria abundance and diversity of different life stages of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), revealed by bacteria culture‐dependent and PCR‐DGGE methods

Microbial abundance and diversity of different life stages (fourth instar larvae, pupae and adults) of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L., collected from field and reared in laboratory, were investigated using bacteria culture‐dependent method and PCR‐DGGE analysis based on the sequence of bacteria 16S rRNA V3 region gene. A large quantity of bacteria was found in all life stages of P. xylostella. Field population had higher quantity of bacteria than laboratory population, and larval gut had higher quantity than pupae and adults. Culturable bacteria differed in different life stages of P. xylostella. Twenty‐five different bacterial strains were identified in total, among them 20 strains were presented in larval gut, only 8 strains in pupae and 14 strains in adults were detected. Firmicutes bacteria, Bacillus sp., were the most dominant species in every life stage. 15 distinct bands were obtained from DGGE electrophoresis gel. The sequences blasted in GenBank database showed these bacteria belonged to six different genera. Phylogenetic analysis showed the sequences of the bacteria belonged to the Actinobacteri, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Serratia sp. in Proteobacteria was the most abundant species in larval gut. In pupae, unculturable bacteria were the most dominant species, and unculturable bacteria and Serratia sp. were the most dominant species in adults. Our study suggested that a combination of molecular and traditional culturing methods can be effectively used to analyze and to determine the diversity of gut microflora. These known bacteria may play important roles in development of P. xylostella.     

盐生植物碱蓬二型果实表生细菌的群落组成及促生属性

【背景】碱蓬(Suaeda glauca Bunge)主要生长于含盐碱土壤,具有果实(种子)二型现象,而种子栖居有众多微生物,它们对种子萌发和幼苗建成具有重要影响。【目的】对碱蓬异型果实表生细菌的群落组成及相关细菌的促生属性进行观察研究,探讨不同类型果实表生细菌的群落组成及相关细菌的促生功能属性是否存在差异。【方法】利用纯培养方法对碱蓬二型果实的表生可培养细菌进行分离纯化,基于16S rRNA基因序列分析初步确定分离菌株的系统发育地位,并对获得菌株进行固氮、溶磷、解钾、产铁及产IAA能力的定性检测。【结果】碱蓬二型果实具有不同的表生细菌群落组成及分布比例,A型果实表生细菌分属于3纲15属,其优势属组成主要是短小杆菌属(34.33%)、芽孢杆菌属(13.43%)和泛菌属(10.45%);B型果实表生细菌分属于4纲20属,其优势属组成主要是短小杆菌属(12.77%)、芽孢杆菌属(17.02%)和冰冻小杆菌属(14.89%)。碱蓬二型果实的表生细菌多样性指数也存在差异,A型果实的Shannon多样性指数、Margalef丰富度指数和Shannon均匀度指数显著低于B型果实;而A型果实的Berger-Parker优势度指数显著高于B型果实。碱蓬二型果实表生细菌在固氮、溶磷、解钾、产铁及产IAA能力等促生属性上的菌株分布比例存在不同变化趋势,A型和B型果实均具有较高比例固氮菌株及较低比例溶磷菌株;但在解钾菌株和产IAA菌株分布比例上具有不同变化趋势,A型果实的解钾菌株所占比例显著高于B型果实,而产IAA能力菌株所占比例显著低于B型果实。【结论】盐生植物碱蓬具有明显不同的2种类型果实,其不同类型果实具有不同的表生细菌群落组成及分布比例,且在促生功能菌株的分布上也存在不同变化趋势。     

Time series analysis of aerobic bacterial flora during Miso fermentation

AIMS: This article reports a microbiological study of aerobic mesophilic bacteria that are present during the fermentation process of Miso. METHODS AND RESULTS: Aerobic bacteria were enumerated and isolated from Miso during fermentation and divided into nine groups using traditional phenotypic tests. The strains were identified by biochemical analysis and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. They were identified as Bacillus subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, Kocuria kristinae, Staphylococcus gallinarum and S. kloosii. All strains were sensitive to the bacteriocins produced by the lactic acid bacteria isolated from Miso. CONCLUSIONS: The dominant species among the undesirable species throughout the fermentation process were B. subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens. It is suggested that bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria are effective in the growth prevention of aerobic bacteria in Miso. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study has provided useful information for controlling of bacterial flora during Miso fermentation.     

再生水灌溉对草坪根际可培养细菌组成影响

【目的】为了了解再生水灌溉对草坪根际可培养细菌群落组成的影响,【方法】采用稀释平板法,对北京市陶然亭公园内再生水灌区及其对照自来水灌区草坪根际细菌进行了分离,并对其16S rDNA序列进行了分析。【结果】16S rDNA序列分析表明自来水样品分离得到的菌落分属于15个属的20个种,而再生水样品分离得到的菌落分属于18个属的24个种。自来水和再生水灌区草坪根际细菌主要包括变形菌门α亚群(Alphaproteobacteria,分别为9.7%和13.4%)、变形菌门β亚群(Betaproteobacteria,分别为8.1%和12.3%)、变形菌门γ亚群(Gammaproteobacteria,分别为17.9%和42.0%)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes,分别为13.0%和2.9%)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes,分别为23.6%和10.1%)和放线菌门(Actinobacteria,分别为27.6%和19.6%)其中,芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus sp.)是自来水灌区草坪根际优势菌属(23.6%),而不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter sp.)是再生水灌区根际优势菌属(17.4%)。从不同类群优势菌属看,除变形菌门γ亚群受再生水影响优势菌属在两灌区表现出一定的差异外,其余各亚群优势菌属均未受再生水影响,其中,不动杆菌属是再生水灌区变形菌门γ亚群的优势菌属(41.3%),肠杆菌属(Enterobacter sp.)是自来水灌区变形菌门γ亚群的优势菌属(45.4%)。【结论】这表明,再生水灌溉未改变细菌群落组成类型,但改变了不同类型多度分布状况。具体表现为优势种多度值增加及部分非优势种有无。再生水灌区特有机会性致病菌、植物致病菌和重金属耐性细菌的出现表明再生水灌溉中病原微生物及重金属的控制工作还有待于进一步严格。     

Bacterial community associated with black band disease in corals

Black band disease (BBD) is a virulent polymicrobial disease primarily affecting massive-framework-building species of scleractinian corals. While it has been well established that the BBD bacterial mat is dominated by a cyanobacterium, the quantitative composition of the BBD bacterial mat community has not described previously. Terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis was used to characterize the infectious bacterial community of the bacterial mat causing BBD. These analyses revealed that the bacterial composition of the BBD mat does not vary between different coral species but does vary when different species of cyanobacteria are dominant within the mat. On the basis of the results of a new method developed to identify organisms detected by T-RFLP analysis, our data show that besides the cyanobacterium, five species of the division Firmicutes, two species of the Cytophaga-Flexibacter-Bacteroides (CFB) group, and one species of delta-proteobacteria are also consistently abundant within the infectious mat. Of these dominant taxa, six were consistently detected in healthy corals. However, four of the six were found in much higher numbers in BBD mats than in healthy corals. One species of the CFB group and one species of Firmicutes were not always associated with the bacterial communities present in healthy corals. Of the eight dominant bacteria identified, two species were previously found in clone libraries obtained from BBD samples; however, these were not previously recognized as important. Furthermore, despite having been described as an important component of the pathogenetic mat, a Beggiatoa species was not detected in any of the samples analyzed. These results will permit the dominant BBD bacteria to be targeted for isolation and culturing experiments aimed at deciphering the disease etiology.     

Identification of and Spatio-Temporal Differences between Microbial Assemblages from Two Neighboring Sulfurous Lakes: Comparison by Microscopy and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis

The microbial assemblages of Lake Cisó and Lake Vilar (Banyoles, northeast Spain) were analyzed in space and time by microscopy and by performing PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Samples obtained from different water depths and at two different times of the year (in the winter during holomixis and in the early spring during a phytoplankton bloom) were analyzed. Although the lakes have the same climatic conditions and the same water source, the limnological parameters were different, as were most of the morphologically distinguishable photosynthetic bacteria enumerated by microscopy. The phylogenetic affiliations of the predominant DGGE bands were inferred by performing a comparative 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Sequences obtained from Lake Cisó samples were related to gram-positive bacteria and to members of the division Proteobacteria. Sequences obtained from Lake Vilar samples were related to members of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides phylum and to cyanobacteria. Thus, we found that like the previously reported differences between morphologically distinct inhabitants of the two lakes, there were also differences among the community members whose morphologies did not differ conspicuously. The changes in the species composition from winter to spring were also marked. The two lakes both contained sequences belonging to phototrophic green sulfur bacteria, which is consistent with microscopic observations, but these sequences were different from the sequences of cultured strains previously isolated from the lakes. Euryarchaeal sequences (i.e., methanogen- and thermoplasma-related sequences) also were present in both lakes. These euryarchaeal group sequences dominated the archaeal sequences in Lake Cisó but not in Lake Vilar. In Lake Vilar, a new planktonic population related to the crenarchaeota produced the dominant archaeal band. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that new bacterial and archaeal lineages were present and that the microbial diversity of these assemblages was greater than previously known. We evaluated the correspondence between the abundances of several morphotypes and DGGE bands by comparing microscopy and sequencing results. Our data provide evidence that the sequences obtained from the DGGE fingerprints correspond to the microorganisms that are actually present at higher concentrations in the natural system.