Bacterial diversity in natural aquatic biofilms

[AHRickard]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone has done (or knows of) any
studies into the bacterial diversity of freshwater biofilms. I
am aware of quite a bit of intense research by David White et
al. in the early 1990's but that is where the buck really ends!

Also, suppose you obtain a number of closely related
species/strains from an established biofilm (eg. borehole/deep
terrestial), what are the chances of these strains having a
common evolutionary progenitor?

In general, multi-species biofilms are considered a norm but in
most of the studies I have come across the biofilms are usually
relatively immature. Okay, someone will no doubtedly mention
human dental plaque but it is not a really mature biofilm. how
about ones that could be potentially hundreds of years old? If a
steady state is achieved with little or no change in the
external environment (going back to deep terrestrial here)
genetic exchange will no doubt occur between bacteria -
potentially causing genetic convergence between unrelated
species?

Just a few questions/thoughts to ponder on! Thanks for your
time and I hope somebody can help.

Cheers,

Alex Rickard
PhD student

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