Journal
ASTROBIOLOGY
Volume 10, Issue 2, Pages 201-213Publisher
MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC
DOI: 10.1089/ast.2009.0378
Keywords
Autonomous; Robotics; Microbial diversity; 16S rRNA
Funding
- NASA ASTEP [NNG04GC09G]
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The deep phreatic thermal explorer (DEPTHX) is an autonomous underwater vehicle designed to navigate an unexplored environment, generate high-resolution three-dimensional (3-D) maps, collect biological samples based on an autonomous sampling decision, and return to its origin. In the spring of 2007, DEPTHX was deployed in Zacaton, a deep (similar to 318 m), limestone, phreatic sinkhole (cenote) in northeastern Mexico. As DEPTHX descended, it generated a 3-D map based on the processing of range data from 54 onboard sonars. The vehicle collected water column samples and wall biomat samples throughout the depth profile of the cenote. Post-expedition sample analysis via comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a wealth of microbial diversity. Traditional Sanger gene sequencing combined with a barcoded-amplicon pyrosequencing approach revealed novel, phylum-level lineages from the domains Bacteria and Archaea; in addition, several novel subphylum lineages were also identified. Overall, DEPTHX successfully navigated and mapped Zacaton, and collected biological samples based on an autonomous decision, which revealed novel microbial diversity in a previously unexplored environment.
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