title: Molecular diversity reveals previously undetected air-dispersed protist colonists in a Mediterranean area.
abstract: The molecular diversity of air-dispersed protists was examined through the 18S rRNA gene clone library construction in air samples and samples from experimental water containers passively collecting air-dispersed microorganisms, from July 2007 till October 2008 in three different sites of Northern Greece. The majority of the samplings took place in an urban industrialized coastal city (Thessaloniki). In all the samples, a total of 29 unique phylotypes were detected belonging to 10 known major taxonomic groups. The most abundant phylotypes were affiliated to known taxa of Ciliophora and Chlorophyceae, commonly found in various habitats. Additionally, various previously unnoticed and under-studied taxa, such as Bicosoecida, Oomycetes and Labyrinthulomycetes, were detected. These taxa are potentially important in ecological processes, through dispersal and colonization of various habitats. Multivariate statistical analysis associated the most abundant phylotypes with rainfall, suggesting that rain is a favorable means for reposition of air-dispersed protists. This is the first study investigating the molecular diversity of air-dispersed protists, including algae and heterotrophic protists.
authors: Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale, ULCO, Laboratoire d' Océanologie et Géoscience, LOG, UMR CNRS 8187, 32 av. Foch, F-62930 Wimereux, France.
authors: Savvas
authors: S
authors: Genitsaris
authors: Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, 384 46 Volos, Greece.
authors: Konstantinos Ar
authors: KA
authors: Kormas
authors: Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale, ULCO, Laboratoire d' Océanologie et Géoscience, LOG, UMR CNRS 8187, 32 av. Foch, F-62930 Wimereux, France.
authors: Urania
authors: U
authors: Christaki
authors: Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale, ULCO, Laboratoire d' Océanologie et Géoscience, LOG, UMR CNRS 8187, 32 av. Foch, F-62930 Wimereux, France.
authors: Sebastien
authors: S
authors: Monchy
authors: Department of Botany, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece. Electronic address: mmustaka@bio.auth.gr.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Moustaka-Gouni
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D016798:Ciliophora; D017753:Ecosystem; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000145:classification*; D015723:Gene Library; D014644:Genetic Variation; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D010802:Phylogeny
keywords: 18S rRNA gene; Airborne; Dispersal vs. colonization; Phylotypes; Protists; Undetected