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Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
ISSN: 0717-3458
Vol. 31, No. 1, 2018, pp. 48-56
Bioline Code: ej18007
Full paper language: English
Document type: Review Article
Document available free of charge

Electronic Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 31, No. 1, 2018, pp. 48-56

 en Microbial mat ecosystems: Structure types, functional diversity, and biotechnological application
Prieto-Barajas, Cristina M.; Valencia-Cantero, Eduardo & Santoyo, Gustavo

Abstract

Microbial mats are horizontally stratified microbial communities, exhibiting a structure defined by physiochemical gradients, which models microbial diversity, physiological activities, and their dynamics as a whole system. These ecosystems are commonly associated with aquatic habitats, including hot springs, hypersaline ponds, and intertidal coastal zones and oligotrophic environments, all of them harbour phototrophic mats and other environments such as acidic hot springs or acid mine drainage harbour non-photosynthetic mats. This review analyses the complex structure, diversity, and interactions between the microorganisms that form the framework of different types of microbial mats located around the globe. Furthermore, the many tools that allow studying microbial mats in depth and their potential biotechnological applications are discussed.

Keywords
Acid microbial mats; Biofilm; Coastal mats; Extreme environments; Hot springs; Hypersaline mats; Microbial biotechnology; Microbial diversity; Microbial mats in oligotrophic environments; Microbial mats; Psychrophile microbial mats

 
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