Red Layer Microbial Observatory (RLMO):Phase 1 and 2 Phase 1-
Goals - During the first 5 years of this project (1998-2002),
research objectives were two-fold: (1) To isolate and describe
DNA segments (specifically 16S genes) from Yellowstone red layer
communities; and (2) to perform extensive surveys throughout
Yellowstone for red layer communities. - Two hypotheses were
tested and ultimately supported during this period: (1) That red
filamentous bacteria are a new member of the Chloroflexi phylum,
and (2) that these new Chloroflexi bacteria are more widely
distributed in Yellowstone than previously thought. Phase 1-
Results - During the first phase of this project nearly 150 new
bacterial DNA sequences (16S ribosomal genes) from ten hot
spring communities in Yellowstone National Park and Eastern
Oregon have been described and compared. Most of these new
sequences represent novel "red" green nonsulfur (GNS)
phototrophs, an evolutionarily ancient group of diverse
bacteria. Site-specific clustering among red GN