Biodiversity Survey of Hydrogen Sulfide Thermal Springs in Dagestan Using 16S Metabarcoding

Tutubalina, Nina; Kozlova , A.D.; Krylova , A.S.; Prokopenko,  A.V.; Alieva , Z.A.; Teymurov , A.A.; Gadzhiev , A.A.; Namsaraev , Z.B.; Toshchakov , S.V.

doi:10.31951/2658-3518-2024-A-4-1127

Authors

Tutubalina N.A. ^{1, 2}
Kozlova A.D. ¹
Krylova A.S. ¹
Prokopenko A.V. ¹
Alieva Z.A. ³
Teymurov A.A. ³
Gadzhiev A.A. ³
Namsaraev Z.B. ¹
Toshchakov S.V. ¹

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31951/2658-3518-2024-A-4-1127

Keywords:

16S, metabarcoding, North Caucasus, thermal springs, hydrogen sulfide springs, thermophiles

Abstract

The Greater Caucasus region is rich in thermal hydrogen sulfide springs, but their microbiological composition is poorly studied. In this study, using high-throughput profiling of the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, we analyzed the microbial communities of such springs in the Republic of Dagestan, assessed their biodiversity, and investigated correlations between abiotic factors and microbial community composition. Results show that the alpha diversity of microbial communities is negatively correlated with temperature and pH, with community composition being significantly influenced by the presence of hydrocarbons, redox potential, and dissolved organic matter content. The springs near the village of Kayakent were distinguished by unique physicochemical parameters, and their microbial communities were characterized by high taxonomic novelty, dominated by uncultivated representatives of the families Arcobacteraceae and Hydrogenophilaceae.