Flexible community structure correlates with stable community function in methanogenic bioreactor communities perturbed by glucose.

ABSTRACT: Methanogenic bioreactor communities were used as model ecosystems to evaluate the relationship between functional stability and community structure. Replicated methanogenic bioreactor communities with two different community structures were established. The effect of a substrate loading shock on population dynamics in each microbial community was examined by using morphological analysis, small-subunit (SSU) rRNA oligonucleotide probes, amplified ribosomal DNA (rDNA) restriction analysis (ARDRA), and partial sequencing of SSU rDNA clones. One set of replicated communities, designated the high-spirochete (HS) set, was characterized by good replicability, a high proportion of spiral and short thin rod morphotypes, a dominance of spirochete-related SSU rDNA genes, and a high percentage of Meth

SUBMITTER: Fernandez AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC92259 | biostudies-literature | 2000 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature