The dark side of the moon: first insights into the microbiome structure and function of one of the last glacier-fed streams in Africa

A unique microbial ecosystem thrives in one of Africa's last glacier-fed streams, offering insights into the future of high-latitude glacial environments. The study reveals that the benthic microbiome in Rwenzori Mountains National Park is distinct from other glacier-fed systems, with novel taxa and a dominance of heterotrophic processes driven by abundant photoautotrophs like cyanobacteria and diatoms. Metagenomics shows nearly all prokaryotes can oxidize organic carbon, while over 80% engage in fermentation and acetate oxidation, suggesting tight coupling between primary producers and other microbes. This ecosystem's stability, likely due to the environmental conditions of the Afrotropics, contrasts with higher-latitude systems where glacier shrinkage may increase primary production.

Michoud, G., Kohler, T. J., Ezzat, L., Peter, H., Nattabi, J. K., Nalwanga, R., Pramateftaki, P., Styllas, M., Tolosano, M., De Staercke, V., Schön, M., Marasco, R., Daffonchio, D., Bourquin, M., Busi, S. B., & Battin, T. J. (2023). The dark side of the moon: first insights into the microbiome structure and function of one of the last glacier-fed streams in Africa. Royal Society Open Science, 10(8). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230329