Summary
Stone surfaces are extreme environments that support microbial life. This microbial growth occurs despite unfavourable conditions associated with stone including limited sources of nutrients and water, high pH and exposure to extreme variations in temperature, humidity and irradiation. These stone‐dwelling microbes are often resistant to extreme environments including exposure to desiccation, heavy metals, UV and Gamma irradiation. Here, we report on the effects of climate and stone geochemistry on microbiomes of Roman stone ruins in North Africa. Stone microbiomes were dominated by Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria but were heavily impacted by climate variables that influenced water availability. Stone geochemistry also influenced community diversity, particularly through biologically available P, Mn and Zn. Functions associated with photosynthesis and UV protection were enriched in the metagenomes, indicating the significance of these functions for community survival on stones. Core members of the stone microbial communities were also identified and included Geodermatophilaceae, Rubrobacter, Sphingomonas and others. Our research has helped to expand the understanding of stone microbial community structure and functional capacity within the context of varying climates, geochemical properties and stone conditions.
Here, we report the draft genome sequences obtained for 6 actinobacterial strains isolated from stone surfaces acquired from New England and Indian ruins. These strains were sequenced to determine their potential functional roles in the stone microbiome. The strains belong to the genera
Allobranchiibius
,
Agrococcus
,
Dermococcus
,
Leifsonia
, and
Mycobacterium
.
Metagenomic analysis of stone microbiome from samples collected in New England, USA and Tamil Nadu, India identified numerous Actinobacteria including
Geodermatphilaceae
. A culture-dependent approach was performed as a companion study with this culture-independent metagenomic analysis of these stone samples and resulted in the isolation of eleven
Geodermatphilaceae
strains (2
Geodermatophilus
and 9
Blastococcus
strains). The genomes of the 11
Geodermatphilaceae
strains were sequenced and analyzed. The genomes for the two
Geodermatophilus
isolates, DF1-2 and TF2-6, were 4.45 and 4.75 Mb, respectively, while the Blastococcus genomes ranged in size from 3.98 to 5.48 Mb. Phylogenetic analysis, digital DNA:DNA hybridization (dDDH), and comparisons of the average nucleotide identities (ANI) suggest the isolates represent novel
Geodermatophilus
and
Blastococcus
species. Functional analysis of the
Geodermatphilaceae
genomes provides insight on the stone microbiome niche.
Here, we announce four contiguous and two high-quality draft genome sequences of six actinobacterial strains (
Blastococcus, Georgenia, Nocardioides, Allobranchiibius, Yimella,
and
Williamsia
) that were isolated from rock samples obtained from Indian historical ruins and colonial building stones in New England, United States. These new sequences expand the genome datasets recovered from stone-dwelling microbes and will allow the prediction of their potential role in the stone microbiome.
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