Unexpected diversity found within benthic microbial mats at hydrothermal springs in Crater Lake, Oregon.

ABSTRACT: Crater Lake, Oregon is an oligotrophic freshwater caldera lake fed by thermally and chemically enriched hydrothermal springs. These vents distinguish Crater Lake from other freshwater systems and provide a unique ecosystem for study. This study examines the community structure of benthic microbial mats occurring with Crater Lake hydrothermal springs. Small subunit rRNA gene amplicon sequencing from eight bacterial mats was used to assess community structure. These revealed a relatively homogeneous, yet diverse bacterial community. High alpha diversity and low beta diversity indicate that these communities are likely fueled by homogeneous hydrothermal fluids. An examination of autotrophic taxa abundance indicates the potential importance of iron and sulfur inputs to the primary productivity

SUBMITTER: Stromecki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9516098 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature