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Phagotrophic protist diversity in the groundwater of a karstified aquifer - morphological and molecular analysis.
- Source :
-
The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology [J Eukaryot Microbiol] 2013 Sep-Oct; Vol. 60 (5), pp. 467-79. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Jun 27. - Publication Year :
- 2013
-
Abstract
- To clarify the structure of microbial food webs in groundwater, knowledge about the protist diversity and feeding strategies is essential. We applied cultivation-dependent approaches and molecular methods for further understanding of protist diversity in groundwater. Groundwater was sampled from a karstified aquifer located in the Thuringian Basin (Thuringia, Germany). Cultivable protist abundance estimated up to 8,000 cells/L. Eleven flagellates, 10 naked amoebae, and one ciliate morpho-species were detected in groundwater enrichment cultures. Most of the flagellates morpho-species, typically < 10 μm, were sessile or free swimming suspension feeders, e.g., Spumella spp., Monosiga spp., and mobile, surface-associated forms that grasp biofilms, e.g., Bodo spp. Naked amoebae, typically < 35 μm, that grasp biofilms were represented by, e.g., Vahlkampfia spp., Vannella spp., and Hartmanella spp. The largest fraction of the 18S rRNA gene sequences was affiliated with Spumella-like Stramenopiles. Besides, also sequences affiliated with fungi and metazoan grazers were detected in clone libraries of the groundwater. We hypothesize that small sized protist species take refuge in the structured surface of the fractures and fissures of the karstified aquifer and mainly feed on biofilm-associated or suspended bacteria.<br /> (© 2013 The Author(s) Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology © 2013 International Society of Protistologists.)
- Subjects :
- Cluster Analysis
DNA, Protozoan chemistry
DNA, Protozoan genetics
DNA, Ribosomal chemistry
DNA, Ribosomal genetics
Genes, rRNA
Germany
Microscopy
Molecular Sequence Data
Parasite Load
Phylogeny
RNA, Protozoan genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 18S genetics
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Biodiversity
Eukaryota classification
Eukaryota isolation & purification
Groundwater parasitology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1550-7408
- Volume :
- 60
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 23808986
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jeu.12054