Complete Genome Sequencing of a Novel Gloeobacter Species from a Waterfall Cave in Mexico.

Only two complete genomes of the cyanobacterial genus Gloeobacter from two very different regions of the world currently exist. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of a third member of the genus isolated from a waterfall cave in Mexico. Analysis of the average nucleotide identities (ANIs) between published Gloeobacter genomes revealed that the complete genome of this new member is only 92.7% similar to Gloeobacter violaceus and therefore we determined it to be a new species. We propose to name this new species Gloeobacter morelensis after the location in Mexico where it was isolated. The complete genome consists of one circular chromosome (4,921,229 bp), one linear plasmid (172,328 bp), and one circular plasmid (8,839 bp). Its genome is the largest of all completely sequenced genomes of Gloeobacter species. Pangenomic comparisons revealed that G. morelensis encodes 759 genes not shared with other Gloeobacter species. Despite being more closely related to G. violaceus, it features an extremely divergent psbA gene encoding an atypical D1 core subunit of Photosystem II previously only found within the genome of Gloeobacter kilaueensis. In addition, we detected evidence of concerted evolution of psbA genes encoding identical D1 in all three Gloeobacter genomes, a characteristic that seems widespread in cyanobacteria and may therefore be traced back to their last common ancestor.

Differences in the Cyanobacterial Community Composition of Biocrusts From the Drylands of Central Mexico. Are There Endemic Species?

In drylands worldwide, biocrusts, topsoil microbial communities, are prevalent, contributing to the biostabilization of soils and allowing the subsequent establishment and growth of vascular plants. In early successional biocrusts, cyanobacteria are the first dominant colonizers of bare ground, largely determining their functioning. However, there are large gaps in our knowledge of the cyanobacterial diversity in biocrusts, particularly in understudied geographic regions, such as the tropical latitudes. We analyzed the diversity of the cyanobacteria inhabiting the biocrusts of semideserts from Central Mexico in two localities belonging to the same desert system (Chihuahuan Desert) that are separated by a cordillera that crosses the center of Mexico. Morphological identification of the cyanobacteria was carried out after cultivation in parallel with the direct observation of the environmental samples and was supported by genetic characterization through analysis of the 16S rRNA gene of the isolated strains and by next-generation sequencing of the soil samples. Taxonomic assignment revealed a clear dominance of heterocystous cyanobacteria at one of the studied locations (Actopan, Hidalgo state). Although heterocystous forms were abundant at the other location (Atexcac, Puebla state), almost a third of the cyanobacterial phylotypes were represented by unicellular/colonial cyanobacteria, mostly Chroococcidiopsis spp. Only 28.4% of the phylotypes were found to be common to both soils. Most of the other taxa, however, were biocrust-type specific, and approximately 35% of the phylotypes were found to be unique to the soil they were collected in. In addition, differences in the abundances of the shared cyanobacteria between the locations were also found. These differences in the cyanobacterial distribution were supported by the distinct responses of the isolated strains representative of the sites to extreme heat and desiccation in bioassays. Some cyanobacteria with high abundance or only present at the hottest Actopan site, such as Scytonema hyalinum, Scytonema crispum, Nostoc commune, Nostoc sp., and Calothrix parietina, survived extreme heat and desiccation. However, Tolypothrix distorta and Chroococcidiopsis spp. were clearly sensitive to these extreme conditions in relation to their lower abundances at Actopan as opposed to Atexcac. Since novel biocrust-associated phylotypes were also found, the emergence of endemic cyanobacterial taxa is discussed.

First report on the occurrence of microcystins in planktonic cyanobacteria from Central Mexico.

Although toxic cyanobacteria are commonly described worldwide, only one recent paper on the toxicity of cyanobacteria in Mexico has been published reporting the occurrence of cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxins. Microcystins are the most commonly studied cyanotoxins in many countries and those that may cause the most dramatic problems in terms of human health. In this paper, we studied the occurrence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in different ecosystems in Central Mexico. Samples were collected in natural lakes (Zumpango, Laguna Atotonilco and Cienega Chica), reservoirs (Los Angeles and Valle de Bravo), man-made channels (Cuemanco, Tlameleca) and urban lakes (Chapultepec). A multi-technique approach was applied by the use of molecular, immunological and chemical techniques. Cyanobacteria were found in all the sites, ranging from 1.6 x 10(3) cells/mL in Tlameleca to 7.5 x 10(6) cells/mL in Chapultepec Grande, representing between 67 and 100% of the total phytoplankton density. The concentration of total microcystins varied between 4.9 and 78.0 microg MC-LR eq/L. The results revealed the occurrence of MC-LR in all the sites analyzed by MALDI-TOF, and MC-FR, MC-RR and MC-H(4)YR in two sites. Most of the studied sites are used either as a source of drinking water, as a recreational area, or for agriculture irrigation purposes, so the risk for human health may be high if not properly monitored. This is the first report on the MC profiles and concentrations in blooms collected in Mexico.