Cyanobacteria in hot pursuit: Characterization of cyanobacteria strains, including novel taxa, isolated from geothermal habitats from different ecoregions of the world

Well-studied thermal spring microbial mat systems continue to serve as excellent models from which to make discoveries of general importance to microbial community ecology in order to address comprehensively the question of who is there in a microbial community. Cyanobacteria are highly adaptable and an integral part of many ecosystems including thermal springs. In this context, we sampled disparate thermal springs, spanning from Iceland and Poland to Greece and Tajikistan. Thirteen (13) strains were isolated and characterised with taxonomic indices and molecular markers (16S-23S rRNA region and cpcBA gene), whilst their thermotolerance was evaluated. Screening for the presence of genes encoding three heat shock proteins, as well as non-ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) and polyketide synthases (PKSs) was performed. This approach resulted in the description of two new genera (Hillbrichtia and Amphirytos) and their type species (Hillbrichtia pamiria and Amphirytos necridicus) representing Oscillatoriales and Synechococcales orders, respectively. We also found unique lineages inside the genus Thermoleptolyngbya, describing a novel species (T. hindakiae). We described the presence of sub-cosmopolitan taxa (such as Calothrix, Desertifilum, and Trichormus). Strains were diverse concerning their thermophilic ability with the strains well adapted to high temperatures possessing all three investigated genes encoding heat shock proteins as well as studied PKS and NRPS genes. In this work, we show novel cyanobacteria diversity from thermal springs from disparate environments, possible correlation of thermotolerance and their genetic background, which may have implications on strategic focusing of screening programs on underexploited taxa in these habitats.

Automated summary

This study discovered novel cyanobacteria diversity in thermal springs from different environments. Two new genera and one new species were described. The study also found a correlation between thermotolerance and genetic background, suggesting possible strategic focusing of screening programs on underexploited taxa in these habitats.