Phylotype Dynamics of Bacterial P Utilization Genes in Microbialites and Bacterioplankton of a Monomictic Endorheic Lake

• Published in: Microbial ecology 2017-02, Vol.73 (2), p.296-309
• Main Authors: Valdespino-Castillo, Patricia M., Alcántara-Hernández, Rocío J., Merino-Ibarra, Martín, Alcocer, Javier, Macek, Miroslav, Moreno-Guillén, Octavio A., Falcón, Luisa I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkaline Phosphatase - genetics; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic Organisms - genetics; Aquatic Organisms - metabolism; Bacteria - enzymology; Bacteria - genetics; Bacteria - metabolism; Bacteroidetes - genetics; Bacteroidetes - metabolism; Base Sequence; Biogeochemical cycles; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Community structure; Dissolved organic phosphorus; Dissolved oxygen; DNA, Bacterial - analysis; Ecological function; Ecology; Ecosystem; Environment; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; Genes, Bacterial - genetics; Genetic diversity; Genetic markers; Genetic Markers - genetics; Genetic Variation; Geoecology/Natural Processes; Harbors; Lakes; Lakes - microbiology; Life Sciences; Mexico; Microbial activity; Microbial Ecology; Microbiology; MICROBIOLOGY OF AQUATIC SYSTEMS; Nature Conservation; Oxygen - chemistry; Phosphorus - chemistry; Phosphorus - metabolism; Phosphorus Compounds - chemistry; Phosphorus Compounds - metabolism; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Proteobacteria; Proteobacteria - genetics; Proteobacteria - metabolism; RNA, Bacterial - analysis; Seasonal variations; Seasons; Sequence Analysis; Water - chemistry; Water circulation; Water column; Water Quality/Water Pollution
• ISSN: 0095-3628; 1432-184X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00248-016-0862-1

Microbes can modulate ecosystem function since they harbor a vast genetic potential for biogeochemical cycling. The spatial and temporal dynamics of this genetic diversity should be acknowledged to establish a link between ecosystem function and community structure. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity of bacterial phosphorus utilization genes in two microbial assemblages, microbialites and bacterioplankton of Lake Alchichica, a semiclosed (i.e., endorheic) system with marked seasonality that varies in nutrient conditions, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and water column stability. We focused on dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) utilization gene dynamics during contrasting mixing and stratification periods. Bacterial alkaline phosphatases (phoX and phoD) and alkaline beta-propeller phytases (bpp) were surveyed. DOP utilization genes showed different dynamics evidenced by a marked change within an intra-annual period and a differential circadian pattern of expression. Although Lake Alchichica is a semiclosed system, this dynamic turnover of phylotypes (from lake circulation to stratification) points to a different potential of DOP utilization by the microbial communities within periods. DOP utilization gene dynamics was different among genetic markers and among assemblages (microbialite vs. bacterioplankton). As estimated by the system’s P mass balance, P inputs and outputs were similar in magnitude (difference was