title: Actinobacterial Diversity in the Sediments of Five Cold Springs on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
abstract: The actinobacterial diversity was investigated in the sediments of five cold springs in Wuli region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau using 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis. The actinobacterial communities of the studied cold springs were diverse and the obtained actinobacterial operational taxonomic units were classified into 12 actinobacterial orders (e.g., Acidimicrobiales, Corynebacteriales, Gaiellales, Geodermatophilales, Jiangellales, Kineosporiales, Micromonosporales, Micrococcales, Nakamurellales, Propionibacteriales, Pseudonocardiales, Streptomycetales) and unclassified Actinobacteria. The actinobacterial composition varied among the investigated cold springs and were significantly correlated (r = 0.748, P = 0.021) to environmental variables. The actinobacterial communities in the cold springs were more diverse than other cold habitats on the Tibetan Plateau, and their compositions showed unique geographical distribution characteristics. Statistical analyses showed that biogeographical isolation and unique environmental conditions might be major factors influencing actinobacterial distribution among the investigated cold springs.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Liuqin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Hongchen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jiang
keywords: 16S rRNA gene; Actinobacteria; Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; cold springs; diversity