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Spatial and temporal patterns in the Pelagibacteraceae across an estuarine gradient
Alice C Ortmann1, Thays T L Santos2
1Department of Marine Sciences, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, USA Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA ortmannalice@gmail.com.
FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|July 9, 2016
Summary
Marine bacterial communities, particularly Pelagibacteraceae, exhibit distinct spatial and seasonal patterns. Environmental factors like dissolved oxygen and salinity influence their abundance and diversity within estuarine environments.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Estuarine ecology
- Bacterial biogeography
Background:
- Marine bacterial communities display significant spatial and seasonal variations.
- Pelagibacteraceae are a dominant bacterial family with known biogeographic patterns at subclade levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the abundance, diversity, and ecological drivers of Pelagibacteraceae within an estuarine gradient over two years.
- To identify specific environmental factors influencing Pelagibacteraceae community structure at the OTU level.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Pelagibacteraceae abundance and diversity across four estuarine sites over a two-year period.
- Statistical analysis to correlate bacterial community data with environmental parameters such as salinity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients.
Main Results:
- Pelagibacteraceae was the most abundant family (averaging 27%), with peak abundances in autumn and winter.
- Bacterial richness was lowest inshore, while diversity decreased in winter due to OTU dominance.
- Dissolved oxygen, dissolved silicate, and prokaryote abundance were key drivers, with salinity important in low-salinity areas.
Conclusions:
- Pelagibacteraceae abundance and diversity are strongly influenced by seasonal changes and estuarine gradients.
- Individual OTUs within Pelagibacteraceae occupy distinct niches, responding to a combination of salinity, oxygen, nutrients, and biotic interactions.
- Environmental factors beyond salinity, including oxygen and nutrients, are critical for structuring higher salinity communities.
