Identification and characterization of ecologically significant prokaryotes in the sediment of freshwater lakes: molecular and cultivation studies

The aim of this review is to interpret recent studies in which molecular me thods were used to identify and characterize prokaryotes ill lake sediments and related habitats. In the first part studies based on the phylogenetic diversity of prokaryotes found ill lacustrine habitats are summarized. The application of various cultivation-independent methods for the characteriza tion of distinct groups of sediment bacteria is exemplified with morphologi cally conspicuous, colorless sulfur bacteria in the second part of this rev iew. Finally, traditional and recently developed methods are described whic h could be used for linking the function of microbial populations with thei r identification. The potential of these approaches for the study of lake s ediments is discussed in order to give a perspective for future studies in this habitat. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Pu blished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.