Phylogenetic characterization of the bacterial assemblage associated with mucous secretions of the hydrothermal vent polychaete Paralvinella palmiformis

• Published in: FEMS microbiology ecology 2002-12, Vol.42 (3), p.463-476
• Main Authors: Alain, Karine, Olagnon, Michel, Desbruyères, Daniel, Pagé, Antoine, Barbier, Georges, Juniper, S. Kim, Quérellou, Joël, Cambon-Bonavita, Marie-Anne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 16S rRNA; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Bacteria; Bacteriology; Biological and medical sciences; Cytophaga; Detoxification; Ecology; Flavobacteria; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fusobacteria; Hydrothermal plumes; Hydrothermal vent; Libraries; Microbial diversity; Microbial ecology; Microbiology; Microenvironments; Microhabitats; Microorganisms; Organic matter; Paralvinella palmiformis; Phylogenetics; Phylogeny; Proteobacteria; rRNA 16S; Secretions; Sulfides; Sulfur; Sulfur bacteria; Systematics; Various environments (extraatmospheric space, air, water); Verrucomicrobia
• ISSN: 0168-6496; 1574-6941
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6941.2002.tb01035.x

Abstract As part of an ongoing examination of microbial diversity associated with hydrothermal vent polychaetes of the family Alvinellidae, we undertook a culture-independent molecular analysis of the bacterial assemblage associated with mucous secretions of the Northeastern Pacific vent polychaete Paralvinella palmiformis. Using a molecular 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic approach, clone libraries were constructed from two samples collected from active sulfide edifices in two hydrothermal vent fields. In both cases, clone libraries were largely dominated by ε-Proteobacteria. Phylotypes belonging to the Cytophaga–Flavobacteria and to the Verrucomicrobia were also largely represented within the libraries. The remaining sequences were related to the taxonomic groups Fusobacteria, Green non-sulfur bacteria, Firmicutes, γ- and δ-Proteobacteria. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of Verrucomicrobia, Fusobacteria and green non-sulfur bacteria on hydrothermal edifices. The potential functions of the detected bacteria are discussed in terms of productivity, recycling of organic matter and detoxification within the P. palmiformis microhabitat.