Molecular phylogentic analysis of a bacterial community in Sulphur River, Parker Cave, Kentucky

Abstract

Other| December 01, 1998 Molecular phylogentic analysis of a bacterial community in Sulphur River, Parker Cave, Kentucky Ester R. Angert; Ester R. Angert Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cambridge, MA, United States Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Diana E. Northup; Diana E. Northup Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Anna-Louise Reysenbach; Anna-Louise Reysenbach Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Andrew S. Peek; Andrew S. Peek Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brett M. Goebel; Brett M. Goebel Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Norman R. Pace Norman R. Pace Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ester R. Angert Harvard University, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Cambridge, MA, United States Diana E. Northup Anna-Louise Reysenbach Andrew S. Peek Brett M. Goebel Norman R. Pace Publisher: Mineralogical Society of America First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1945-3027 Print ISSN: 0003-004X GeoRef, Copyright 2004, American Geological Institute. American Mineralogist (1998) 83 (11-12_Part_2): 1583–1592. https://doi.org/10.2138/am-1998-11-1246 Article history First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Ester R. Angert, Diana E. Northup, Anna-Louise Reysenbach, Andrew S. Peek, Brett M. Goebel, Norman R. Pace; Molecular phylogentic analysis of a bacterial community in Sulphur River, Parker Cave, Kentucky. American Mineralogist 1998;; 83 (11-12_Part_2): 1583–1592. doi: https://doi.org/10.2138/am-1998-11-1246 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyAmerican Mineralogist Search Advanced Search Abstract Sulphur River in Parker Cave, Kentucky receives sulfurous water (11-21 mg sulfide/L) from the Phantom Waterfall and contains a microbial mat composed of white filaments. We extend a previous morphological survey with a molecular phylogenetic analysis of the bacteria of the microbial mat. This approach employs DNA sequence comparisons of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes obtained from the mat with those from an extensive database of rRNA sequences. Many of SSU rRNA gene clones obtained from the mat are most similar to rRNA sequences from sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiothrix spp., Thiomicrospira denitrificans, and "Candidatus Thiobacillus baregensis"). The Sulphur River SSU rRNA gene clones also show specific affiliations with clones from environmental surveys of bacteria from deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities and subsurface microcosms. Affiliations with sequences from bacteria that are known to have the ability to obtain energy for CO 2 fixation from the oxidation of inorganic compounds (chemoautotrophs), in combination with the environmental conditions surrounding the microbial mat, indicate that chemoautotrophic metabolism of bacteria in this mat may contribute to the biomass of Sulphur River. Cave communities, such as the one identified in Sulphur River, provide sites to study such relatively autonomous chemoautotrophic communities that are much more accessible than similar communities associated with deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Subsurface microbiology and the contribution of microbial activity on cave development are also discussed. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.