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Diversity of bacterial forms in ice wedge of the Mamontova Gora glacial complex (Central Yakutiya)

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Abstract

Electron microscopic investigation of four samples of ancient ice wedge from the Pleistocene glacial complex of Mamontova Gora (Yakutiya, Russia) revealed high diversity of bacteriomorphic particles. Their structural features included the presence of electron-transparent zones, presumably inclusions containing storage compounds, and microenvironments (capsules or external sheaths). These features may be a result of adaptive strategies providing for microbial survival under permafrost conditions. Predominance of rod-shaped forms morphologically resembling coryneform actinobacteria was found. X-ray microanalysis revealed organic origin of bacteriomorphic particles. Some particles were characterized by incomplete spectra of the major biogenic elements, resulting probably from low-temperature damage to the cellular structures. Total numbers of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria determined by plating on nutrient media were comparable to the values obtained for permafrost soils and Arctic ice. Predominance of coryneform actinobacteria was observed. Abundance of these evolutionarily early groups of actinobacteria may indicate the ancient origin of the microflora of the relic frozen rocks.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Winogradsky Institute of Microbiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, pr. 60-letiya Oktyabrya 7, k. 2, Moscow, 117312, Russia

    S. N. Filippova, N. A. Surgucheva, V. V. Sorokin & V. F. Gal’chenko

  2. Faculty of Geology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia

    M. Yu. Cherbunina, E. A. Karnysheva & A. V. Brushkov

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  1. S. N. Filippova
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  2. N. A. Surgucheva
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  3. V. V. Sorokin
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  4. M. Yu. Cherbunina
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  5. E. A. Karnysheva
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  6. A. V. Brushkov
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  7. V. F. Gal’chenko
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Correspondence to S. N. Filippova.

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Original Russian Text © S.N. Filippova, N.A. Surgucheva, V.V. Sorokin, M.Yu. Cherbunina, E.A. Karnysheva, A.V. Brushkov, V.F. Gal’chenko, 2014, published in Mikrobiologiya, 2014, Vol. 83, No. 2, pp. 225–235.

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Filippova, S.N., Surgucheva, N.A., Sorokin, V.V. et al. Diversity of bacterial forms in ice wedge of the Mamontova Gora glacial complex (Central Yakutiya). Microbiology 83, 85–93 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0026261714020076

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