ABSTRACT The Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California) is a hydrothermal vent site where thermal alteration deposited planktonic and terrestrial organic matter forms petroliferous material which supports diverse sulfate-reducing bacteria. We explored the phylogenetic functional diversity bacteria by characterizing PCR-amplified dissimilatory sulfite reductase ( dsrAB ) 16S rRNA genes from upper 4 cm sediment. sequences revealed that there was major clade closely related to acetate-oxidizing...

The goal of this study was to use environmental sequencing 16S rRNA and bop genes compare the diversity planktonic bacteria archaea across ponds with increasing salinity in Exportadora de Sal (ESSA) evaporative saltern Guerrero Negro, Baja CA S., Mexico. We hypothesized that diverse communities heterotrophic would be found ESSA ponds, but bacterial decrease relative at highest salinities. Archaeal higher Ponds 11 12 (370 380 g l(-1) total salts, respectively) compared Pond 9 (180 salts)....

During the Precambrian, ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching Earth’s surface, including UVC wavelengths (190–280 nm), was considerably higher than present because of lack absorbing gases (e.g. O 2 and 3 ) in atmosphere. High UV flux would have been damaging to photosynthetic organisms exposed solar radiation. Nevertheless, fossil evidence indicates that cyanobacteria‐like ancestors may evolved as early 3.5 × 10 9 yr ago, were common shallow marine habitats by 2.5 years ago. Scytonemin, a...

The BUilding Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) undergraduate research training program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) strengthen pipeline for underrepresented students through graduate school and into health-related careers in biomedical behavioral sciences. This study evaluates impact BUILD participation at a Minority-Serving Institution Southern California on outcomes up 6 years post-graduation including doctoral enrollment degree attainment using...

Hypersaline microbial mat communities have recently been shown to be more diverse than once thought. The variability in community composition of hypersaline mats, both terms spatial and temporal dimensions, is still poorly understood. Because this information essential understanding the complex biotic abiotic interactions within these communities, terminal restriction fragment analysis 16S rRNA gene sequencing were used characterize near-surface a Guerrero Negro, Mexico. Core samples...

Carbon cycling by microbes has been recognized as the main mechanism of organic matter decomposition and export in coastal wetlands, yet very little is known about functional diversity specific groups decomposers (e.g., bacteria) salt marsh benthic trophic structure. Indeed, sediment bacteria remain largely a black box terms their roles within food web pathways. We used DNA stable isotope probing (SIP) utilizing 13C-labeled lignocellulose proxy to evaluate fate macrophyte-derived carbon...

ABSTRACT Diversity, habitat range, and activities of sulfate-reducing prokaryotes within hot springs in Yellowstone National Park were characterized using endogenous activity measurements, molecular characterization, enrichment. Five major phylogenetic groups identified PCR amplification the dissimilatory sulfite reductase genes ( dsrAB ) from demonstrating significant sulfate reduction rates, including a warm, acidic (pH 2.5) stream several nearly neutral with temperatures reaching 89°C....

ABSTRACT The importance of sulfate respiration in the microbial mat found low-sulfate thermal outflow Mushroom Spring Yellowstone National Park was evaluated using a combination molecular, microelectrode, and radiotracer studies. Despite very low concentrations, this community shown to sustain highly active sulfur cycle. highest rates were measured close surface late day when photosynthetic oxygen production ceased associated with Thermodesulfovibrio -like population. Reduced activity at...

Summary Two populations of the cyanobacterium Calothrix sp. found in Yellowstone thermal spring outflows differ greatly their contents scytonemin, a UV‐screening pigment, and photosynthetic carbon assimilation rates. Clonal isolates from both were used to investigate these phenotypic differences. Identical partial 16S rDNA sequences (∼900 bp) suggest very close relationship between two indicate that environmental differences may, part, explain field observations. The effects native water on...

Stable isotope probing (SIP) is a valuable tool for gaining insights into ecophysiology and biogeochemical cycling of environmental microbial communities by tracking isotopically labeled compounds cellular macromolecules as well byproducts respiration. SIP, in conjunction with nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS), allows the visualization incorporation at single cell level. In this manner, both active cells within diverse population heterogeneity metabolism homogeneous can be...

Summary Phenotypic acclimation to changing conditions is typically thought be beneficial organisms in the environment. UV radiation an important parameter affecting photosynthetic natural environments. We measured response of carbon fixation populations cyanobacteria inhabiting a hot spring following different treatments. These two very closely related cyanobacteria, differing their content extracellular UV‐screening pigment scytonemin, were acclimated situ under solar irradiance modified by...

Phages greatly influence the ecology and evolution of their bacterial hosts; however, compared to hosts, a relatively low number phages, especially halophilic have been studied. This study describes comparative investigation physicochemical tolerance between strain bacterium, Salicola, isolated from Cargill Saltworks (Newark, CA, USA) its associated phage. The host grew in media pH 6-8.5, had salinity growth optimum 20% total salts (ranging 10%-30%) an upper temperature limit 48 °C. utilized...

The shallow-sea hydrothermal vents at White Point (WP) in Palos Verdes (PV) on the southern California coast support microbial mats and provide easily accessed settings which to study chemolithoautotrophic sulfur cycling. Previous studies have cultured sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from WP mats; however, almost nothing is known about situ diversity activity of microorganisms these habitats. We studied diversity, micron-scale spatial associations metabolic mat community via sequence analysis 16S...

Engaging students in research is a high impact practice known to increase underrepresented students' persistence Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields improve their graduation rates. For broad impact, infusion can be implemented through careful redesign of courses or the adoption modules supplement class instruction existing student training programs. In this paper, we present data on program for design implementation research-infused curricula major across variety...

Because of their lifestyles, abundance, and feeding habits, infaunal marine deposit feeders have a significant impact on the ocean floor. As these animals also ingest microorganisms associated with sediment seawater diet, digestive tract usually contains diverse array bacteria. However, while most are transients, some may become part resident gut microbiome, in particular when sheltered from main flow digesta specialized compartments. Here, we provide an in-depth analysis structure contents...

Coliforms are important bacterial contamination indicators in recreational waters. Little is known about the antibiotic resistance of coliforms from Southern California beaches. This study examined numbers as well incidence antibiotic-resistant beaches with restricted and non-restricted wave action by sampling shores both types following dry wet weather. Total were selected membrane filtration onto mEndo agar then enumerated. Randomly isolates each location screened for to nine classes...

Juvenile common thresher sharks ( Alopias vulpinus) have been recently stranding along the California coastline. Using Illumina sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA gene with necropsy, cytological, bacteriological, and histological techniques, we screened microbial communities described lesions characterizing affected purpose identifying potential pathogen sources pathologic processes. Histopathological assessment moribund revealed severe meningoencephalitis, as previously in stranded salmon...