Effect of temperature and light on growth of and photosynthesis by Synechococcus isolates typical of those predominating in the octopus spring microbial mat community of Yellowstone National Park.

ABSTRACT: Previous molecular analysis of the Octopus Spring cyanobacterial mat revealed numerous genetically distinct 16S rRNA sequences from predominant Synechococcus populations distantly related to the readily cultivated unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus lividus. Patterns in genotype distribution relative to temperature and light conditions suggested that the organisms contributing these 16S rRNA sequences may fill distinct ecological niches. To test this hypothesis, Synechococcus isolates were cultivated using a dilution and filtration approach and then shown to be genetically relevant to natural mat populations by comparisons of similarities of 16S rRNA genes and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Most isolates were identical or nearly identical at both loci to predominan

SUBMITTER: Allewalt JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1352173 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature