Taxonomic variability and functional stability in microbial communities infected by phages

Area of Science:

• Microbial Ecology
• Systems Biology
• Theoretical Ecology

Background:

• Microbial communities exhibit taxonomic variability despite stable function.
• Mechanisms driving taxonomic turnover within functional groups are poorly understood.
• The role of biotic interactions, like phage predation, in microbial dynamics requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how phage predation influences taxonomic composition and functional stability in microbial communities.
• To examine the role of functional redundancy in modulating the effects of phage predation on community structure and performance.
• To explore the conditions under which biotic interactions promote taxonomic turnover within microbial functional groups.

Main Methods:

• Developed a mathematical model of a methanogenic microbial community.
• Incorporated multiple interacting metabolic functional groups, each with competing clades.
• Modeled specialist lytic phage predation on each clade.

Main Results:

• Phage predation was predicted to induce significant taxonomic turnover.
• Community function was disturbed by phage predation but stabilized with increased functional redundancy.
• The degree of functional stabilization varied depending on the specific functions considered.

Conclusions:

• Phage predation can be a significant driver of taxonomic turnover in microbial communities.
• Functional redundancy enhances the stability of microbial community function under phage predation.
• Biotic interactions, particularly phage predation, play a crucial role in shaping microbial community structure and function.