The discovery of stromatolites developing at 3570 m above sea level in a high-altitude volcanic lake Socompa, Argentinean Andes.

We describe stromatolites forming at an altitude of 3570 m at the shore of a volcanic lake Socompa, Argentinean Andes. The water at the site of stromatolites formation is alkaline, hypersaline, rich in inorganic nutrients, very rich in arsenic, and warm (20-24°C) due to a hydrothermal input. The stromatolites do not lithify, but form broad, rounded and low-domed bioherms dominated by diatom frustules and aragonite micro-crystals agglutinated by extracellular substances. In comparison to other modern stromatolites, they harbour an atypical microbial community characterized by highly abundant representatives of Deinococcus-Thermus, Rhodobacteraceae, Desulfobacterales and Spirochaetes. Additionally, a high proportion of the sequences that could not be classified at phylum level showed less than 80% identity to the best hit in the NCBI database, suggesting the presence of novel distant lineages. The primary production in the stromatolites is generally high and likely dominated by Microcoleus sp. Through negative phototaxis, the location of these cyanobacteria in the stromatolites is controlled by UV light, which greatly influences their photosynthetic activity. Diatoms, dominated by Amphora sp., are abundant in the anoxic, sulfidic and essentially dark parts of the stromatolites. Although their origin in the stromatolites is unclear, they are possibly an important source of anaerobically degraded organic matter that induces in situ aragonite precipitation. To the best of our knowledge, this is so far the highest altitude with documented actively forming stromatolites. Their generally rich, diverse and to a large extent novel microbial community likely harbours valuable genetic and proteomic reserves, and thus deserves active protection. Furthermore, since the stromatolites flourish in an environment characterized by a multitude of extremes, including high exposure to UV radiation, they can be an excellent model system for studying microbial adaptations under conditions that, at least in part, resemble those during the early phase of life evolution on Earth.

Spirochaeta bajacaliforniensis sp. n. from a microbial mat community at Laguna Figueroa, Baja California Norte, Mexico.

A new anaerobic spirochete was isolated from anaerobic muds beneath the laminated sediment in the evaporite flat at Laguna Figueroa, Baja California Norte, Mexico. The organism is a member of the stratified microbial community involved in the deposition of the laminated sediments in the lagoon. The size of the spirochete is 0.3 by 30 micrometers, with a wave amplitude of 0.5 micrometer and a wavelength of 1.25 micrometers. The periplasmic flagella have a 1-2-1 arrangement. The outer membrane of the modified Gram-negative cell wall (the sheath) is irregularly crenulated and has a sillon. The growth medium contained yeast extract, trypticase, cellobiose, sodium thioglycolate and at least 20% natural seawater. Chemically defined artificial seawater media did not support growth. Optimal growth occurred with a seawater concentration of 80% at 36 degrees C and a pH of 7.5. Glucose was fermented to acetate, ethanol, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The guanine + cytosine content of the DNA was 50 mol %. The spirochete body reacts positively to antibodies raised against eukaryotic brain tubulin protein. On the basis of its free-living anaerobic habitat, its unique morphological and physiological characteristics and G+C ratio, it is proposed that this isolated be considered a new species and names Spirochaeta bajacaliforniensis.

Tropical ulcers.

We review 230 cases of tropical ulcers, includied reports of 7 cases with squamous cell carcinoma. We think the etiology may be a combination of the hot, humid environment, trauma, local infection, and malnutrition. Agressive treatment of these ulcers is advocated, to heal the wounds and to prevent malignant transformation.