ALKALIPHILIC ANAEROBIC COMMUNITY AT PH-10

Relict or ancient microbial communities in extreme environment might b e analogous to the centers of origin of bacterial diversity. A bacteri al community of an alkaline lake was investigated, and the diversity o f bacteria found there indicates that both conditions of autonomy and phylogenetic variety are fulfilled for anaerobic bacteria developing a t pH 10 +/- 0.2. Major functional groups in the trophic network were p resent. Representatives of proteolytic, bacteriolytic, cellulolytic, s accharolytic, dissipotrophic, acetogenic, sulfate-reducing, methanogen ic bacteria were isolated.