Cyanidiales diversity in Yellowstone National Park

• Published in: Letters in applied microbiology Vol. 57; no. 5; pp. 459 - 466
• Main Authors: Skorupa, D.J., Reeb, V., Castenholz, R.W., Bhattacharya, D., McDermott, T.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell 01-11-2013; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Algae; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Cyanidiales; Cyanidioschyzon; Cyanidium; diversity; ecology; Ecosystem; environmental; Evolution; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Galdieria; microbial physiology; Microbiology; Molecular Sequence Data; National parks; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rhodophyta - classification; Soil; Wyoming; National park; environmental; Applied microbiology; microbial physiology; Algae; Diversity; Ecology; Physiology; Microorganism; algae; diversity; ecology
• ISSN: 0266-8254; 1472-765X
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.12135

The Cyanidiales are unicellular red algae that are unique among phototrophs. They thrive in acidic, moderately high‐temperature habitats typically associated with geothermally active regions, although much remains to be learned about their distribution and diversity within such extreme environments. We focused on Yellowstone National Park (YNP), using culture‐dependent efforts in combination with a park‐wide environmental polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey to examine Cyanidiales diversity and distribution in aqueous (i.e. submerged), soil and endolithic environments. Phylogenetic reconstruction of Cyanidiales biodiversity demonstrated the presence of Cyanidioschyzon and Galdieria lineages exhibiting distinct habitat preferences. Cyanidioschyzon was the only phylotype detected in aqueous environments, but was also prominent in moist soil and endolithic habitats, environments where this genus was thought to be scarce. Galdieria was found in soil and endolithic samples, but absent in aqueous habitats. Interestingly, Cyanidium could not be found in the surveys, suggesting this genus may be absent or rare in YNP. Direct microscopic counts and viable counts from soil samples collected along a moisture gradient were positively correlated with moisture content, providing the first in situ evidence that gravimetric moisture is an important environmental parameter controlling distribution of these algae.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The Cyanidiales are an order of unicellular eukaryotic algae that thrive in acidic geothermal environments. In this study, we report several novel observations relative to Cyanidiales ecology in Yellowstone National Park, including the following: (i) the identification of two phylogenetic lineages of Cyanidiales: Cyanidioschyzon and Galdieria; (ii) the absence of Galdieria in aquatic environments; (iii) the absence of Cyanidium and Galdieria phlegrea in prime Cyanidiales habitats; (iv) the cohabitation of Cyanidioschyzon and Galdieria in nonaqueous environments; and (v) the first in situ evidence regarding the relationship between soil moisture and Cyanidiales habitat preference and viability
Significance and Impact of the Study: The Cyanidiales are an order of unicellular eukaryotic algae that thrive in acidic geothermal environments. In this study, we report several novel observations relative to Cyanidiales ecology in Yellowstone National Park, including the following: (i) the identification of two phylogenetic lineages of Cyanidiales: Cyanidioschyzon and Galdieria; (ii) the absence of Galdieria in aquatic environments; (iii) the absence of Cyanidium and Galdieria phlegrea in prime Cyanidiales habitats; (iv) the cohabitation of Cyanidioschyzon and Galdieria in nonaqueous environments; and (v) the first in situ evidence regarding the relationship between soil moisture and Cyanidiales habitat preference and viability.