Comparative metagenomics of two microbial mats at Cuatro Cienegas Basin II: community structure and composition in oligotrophic environments.

ABSTRACT: Microbial mats are self-sustained, functionally complex ecosystems that make good models for the understanding of past and present microbial ecosystems as well as putative extraterrestrial ecosystems. Ecological theory suggests that the composition of these communities might be affected by nutrient availability and disturbance frequency. We characterized two microbial mats from two contrasting environments in the oligotrophic Cuatro Ciénegas Basin: a permanent green pool and a red desiccation pond. We analyzed their taxonomic structure and composition by means of 16S rRNA clone libraries and metagenomics and inferred their metabolic role by the analysis of functional traits in the most abundant organisms. Both mats showed a high diversity with metabolically diverse members and strongly dif

SUBMITTER: Bonilla-Rosso G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3426889 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature