Autochthonous eukaryotic diversity in hydrothermal sediment and experimental microcolonizers at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0235779100
• Publication Date: 2003-01-21T22:51:47Z
• Authors: Purificación Lópe...; Hervé Philippe; Françoise Gail; David Moreira
• Keywords: Protist; Phylogenetic diversity; Extreme environment

The diversity and mode of life microbial eukaryotes in hydrothermal systems is very poorly known. We carried out a molecular survey based on 18S ribosomal RNA genes present different niches at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. These included metal-rich rare-earth-element-rich sediments Rainbow site, fluid–seawater mixing regions, colonization devices (microcolonizers) containing organic, iron-rich, porous mineral substrates that were exposed for 15 days to fluid source. identified considerable phylogenetic diversity, both kingdom level within kinetoplastids alveolates. None our sequences affiliates photosynthesizing lineages, suggesting we are targeting only autochthonous deep-sea communities. Although sediment harbored most microcolonizers predominantly contained bodonids ciliates, indicating these protists pioneer process. Given large variety divergent lineages detected alveolates plankton, sediments, vents, seem dominate deep ocean terms diversity. Compared with data from Pacific Guaymas basin, some protist ubiquitous areas, whereas others, notably kinetoplastid abundant diverse samples, so far have been Atlantic systems. Unexpectedly, although alvinellid polychaetes considered endemic alvinellid-related interface microcolonizers. This finding can boost further studies vent animal biology biogeography.