An endangered oasis of aquatic microbial biodiversity in the Chihuahuan desert.

ABSTRACT: The Cuatro Cienegas basin in the Chihuahuan desert is a system of springs, streams, and pools. These ecosystems support >70 endemic species and abundant living stromatolites and other microbial communities, representing a desert oasis of high biodiversity. Here, we combine data from molecular microbiology and geology to document the microbial biodiversity of this unique environment. Ten water samples from locations within the Cuatro Cienegas basin and two neighboring valleys as well as three samples of wet sediments were analyzed. The phylogeny of prokaryotic populations in the samples was determined by characterizing cultured organisms and by PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from total community DNA. The composition of microbial communities was also assessed by determini

SUBMITTER: Souza V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1458923 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature