[The first results of a study of the phylogenetic diversity of microorganisms in southern Baikal sediments from the area of subsurface depositions of methane hydrates].

Phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial communities in Lake Baikal bottom sediments in the region of subsurface methane hydrate depositions has been carried out using data on 16S rRNA sequences. The composition of these microbial communities is shown to be different in different horizons. Methanotrophic bacteria are found in the surface layer (0-5 cm), and uncultured bacteria constitute a great portion of this population. In deeper sediment layers (92-96 cm), achange in the microbial community occurs; specifically, a decreased homology with the known sequences is observed. The new sequences form separate clusters on a phylogenetic tree, indicating the possibly endemic nature of the bacteria revealed. Organisms related to the genus Pseudomonas constitute the main portion of the population. An archaea-related sequence was found in a horizon containing gas hydrate crystals (100-128 cm). Uncultured bacteria remain predominant.