A biodiversity study of high temperature mud pool microbial communities: Implications of regional/geographical isolation and endemism

The aim of this research was to perform an intensive survey of the microbial diversity of high temperature mud pools on a regional and geographical scale using a combination of molecular and geochemical analytical techniques. Mud pool samples were collected from the thermal fields of the Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ), New Zealand (regional survey); Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica; Lassen Volcanic Park, USA; and Yellowstone National Park, USA. Bacterial community analysis was performed using a combination of DNA fingerprinting and sequencing analyses. Community level analysis of high temperature mud pools showed the majority of the pools were dominated by members of the gamma Proteobacteria, the Cytophaga-Flavobacteria , and the alpha Proteobacteria. These bacterial signatures persisted across a broad range of physiochemically distinct mud pools. Although the dominant groups were consistent across the majority of the pools, the bacterial diversity observed in the DGGE fingerprinting analysis suggested physical isolation might dictate bacterial community diversity of individual pools over both a regional and geographical range.; The second objective of this study was to determine if the mud pool communities support a unique endemic community when compared to hot spring systems. Samples were collected from a mud pool and several closely associated hot springs within the Tokaanu Thermal Area, New Zealand. DNA fingerprinting analysis of the bacterial and archaeal communities showed a unique microbial assemblage unique to the Tokaanu mud compared to neighboring hot water features. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...