Shark Bay eukaryotic small subunit ribosomal RNA diversity. stromatolite metagenome

Microbialites (including stromatolites and thrombolites) are organosedimentary structures formed through the interaction of benthic microbial communities and sediments. Shark Bay in Western Australia is a location where significant stands of modern microbialites exist. Although prokaryotic diversity in these structures is reasonably well documented, little is known about the eukaryotic component of these communities and their potential to influence sedimentary fabrics through their grazing, binding and burrowing activities. Accordingly, comparisons of eukaryotic communities in modern stromatolites and thrombolites can potentially provide insight into the coexistence of both laminated and clotted mat structures in close proximity to one another. Here we examine this possibility by comparing eukaryotic diversity of small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) genes in microbialites of Shark Bay. Analyses were based on total RNA extracts as template to minimize input from inactive or deceased organisms.