Taxonomic and functional metagenomic assessment of a Dolichospermum bloom in a large and deep lake south of the Alps

Abstract

Untargeted genetic approaches can be used to explore the high metabolic versatility of cyanobacteria. In this context, a comprehensive metagenomic shotgun analysis was performed on a population of Dolichospermum lemmermannii collected during a surface bloom in Lake Garda in the summer of 2020. Using a phylogenomic approach, the almost complete metagenome-assembled genome obtained from the analysis allowed to clarify the taxonomic position of the species within the genus Dolichospermum and contributed to frame the taxonomy of this genus within the ADA group (Anabaena/Dolichospermum/Aphanizomenon). In addition to common functional traits represented in the central metabolism of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, the genome annotation uncovered some distinctive and adaptive traits that helped define the factors that promote and maintain bloom-forming heterocytous nitrogen-fixing Nostocales in oligotrophic lakes. In addition, genetic clusters were identified that potentially encode several secondary metabolites that were previously unknown in the populations evolving in the southern Alpine Lake district. These included geosmin, anabaenopetins, and other bioactive compounds. The results expanded the knowledge of the distinctive competitive traits that drive algal blooms and provided guidance for more targeted analyses of cyanobacterial metabolites with implications for human health and water resource use.