Abstract
The current study describes the taxonomic and functional composition of metagenomic sequences obtained from a filamentous microbial mat isolated from the Comau fjord, located in the northernmost part of the Chilean Patagonia. The taxonomic composition of the microbial community showed a high proportion of members of the Gammaproteobacteria, including a high number of sequences that were recruited to the genomes of Moritella marina MP-1 and Colwellia psycherythraea 34H, suggesting the presence of populations related to these two psychrophilic bacterial species. Functional analysis of the community indicated a high proportion of genes coding for the transport and metabolism of amino acids, as well as in energy production. Among the energy production functions, we found protein-coding genes for sulfate and nitrate reduction, both processes associated with Gammaproteobacteria-related sequences. This report provides the first examination of the taxonomic composition and genetic diversity associated with these conspicuous microbial mat communities and provides a framework for future microbial studies in the Comau fjord.
Highlights
The Comau fjord is located in the northernmost part of the austral region of Chile, approximately 80 km south of the city of Puerto Montt
Seepage of water rich in H2S of hydrothermal origin was observed close to the location of this microbial mats [2,3], with chemical compositions that could be supporting the metabolism of the microbial community, according to measurements performed in October 2012 (Table S1)
The mats showed an ellipsoid shape, with vertical extensions of up to 1 meter and 0.5 meters in width. These microbial mats were firmly anchored to the rocky substrate, forming “cottonlike lumps” stones (Figure 1), which can be observed without any optical magnification, or long white threads of several mm (Figure 2), that can reach lengths up to 10 cm
Summary
The Comau fjord is located in the northernmost part of the austral region of Chile, approximately 80 km south of the city of Puerto Montt. The high precipitation rate (~6,000 mm a year) provides an input of fresh water resulting in a surface layer with estuarine properties subject to seasonal variations in depth (up to 10 m during the rainy season), with temperatures ranging between 8–12 °C [1]. This input of fresh water provides minerals, metals and organic compounds to the aquatic ecosystem, captured during its passage through the ground and rocks from the surrounding hills [1,2]. The region that delimits the Comau fjord has a history of volcanic activity, manifested in the presence of large number of volcanoes, geysers and thermal springs, all of which provide an input of nutrients and inorganic compounds into the system [3]
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