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Epilithic biofilms in Saint Callixtus Catacombs (Rome) harbour a broad spectrum of Acidobacteria

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Abstract

The phylum Acidobacteria is broadly represented in a variety of environments as reported during microbial molecular surveys. This study represents the first attempt to analyze the diversity of Acidobacteria in Roman Catacombs (Rome, Italy). Both 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequences were used to confirm the affiliation within different acidobacterial subgroups. The results showed Acidobacteria belonging to subgroups 3, 4, 6, 9, and 10 in the analyzed samples. The presence of acidobacterial sequences in biodeteriorating biofilms in Roman Catacombs suggest they could participate in this negative process, most likely in cooperation with other microbial groups.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (Project BTE 2002-04492-C02-01 and REN 2003-02854/GLO). J.Z. is grateful to the Marie Curie programme (EKV4-CT2000-56130). J.M.G. is thankful for the support provided by the Ramon y Cajal Programme from the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science.

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  1. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología, CSIC, Apartado 1052, E-41080, Sevilla, Spain

    Johannes Zimmermann, Juan M. Gonzalez & Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez

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  1. Johannes Zimmermann
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  2. Juan M. Gonzalez
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  3. Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez
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Correspondence to Juan M. Gonzalez.

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Zimmermann, J., Gonzalez, J.M. & Saiz-Jimenez, C. Epilithic biofilms in Saint Callixtus Catacombs (Rome) harbour a broad spectrum of Acidobacteria . Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek 89, 203–208 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-005-9020-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-005-9020-3

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