Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025
09:49
Divergence of Root Microbiota in Different Habitats based on Weighted Correlation Networks
Published on: September 25, 2021
4.6K
Does diversity beget diversity in microbiomes?
Naïma Madi1, Michiel Vos2, Carmen Lia Murall1
1Département de sciences biologiques, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.
Elife
|November 20, 2020
Summary
Microbial interactions initially boost microbiome diversity, especially in low-diversity environments. However, as niches fill, diversity growth slows, aligning with ecological controls on species richness.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Microbes exist in complex communities with diverse interactions.
- The impact of these interactions on microbiome diversity is not fully understood.
- Two hypotheses, Ecological Controls (EC) and Diversity Begets Diversity (DBD), propose contrasting effects of species interactions on diversity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how microbial interactions influence microbiome diversity.
- To test the predictions of the Ecological Controls and Diversity Begets Diversity hypotheses.
- To determine the relationship between microbial community diversity and species interactions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-throughput amplicon sequencing data.
- Analyzed data from the Earth Microbiome Project.
- Applied ecological modeling to assess diversity patterns.
Main Results:
- Diversity Begets Diversity (DBD) effects were strongest in low-diversity biomes.
- Ecological Controls (EC) became more influential as biome diversity increased.
- Microbial interactions initially promote diversity but eventually plateau as niches saturate.
Conclusions:
- Biotic interactions play a crucial role in shaping microbiome diversity.
- The balance between DBD and EC mechanisms shifts with increasing diversity.
- Understanding these dynamics is key to predicting microbial community structure and function.
Keywords:
biodiversityblack queen hypothesisecologyevolutionary biologyevolutionary ecologymicrobial ecologymicrobiomeMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Diversity of Archaea I
338
Archaea, a domain of single-celled microorganisms, are classified into five major phyla based on genetic and biochemical characteristics: Euryarchaeota, Crenarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, Korarchaeota, and Nanoarchaeota. Among these, the phylum Euryarchaeota is notable for its remarkable diversity in morphology, metabolism, and ecological adaptations.Morphological and Metabolic DiversityMembers of Euryarchaeota exhibit a variety of cellular shapes, including rods and cocci. Their metabolic pathways...
338
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
276
Archaea, one of the three domains of life, exhibit remarkable diversity and adaptability, thriving in both extreme and moderate environments. Historically, most identified archaea have been classified into two major phyla: Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota. However, recent molecular studies have expanded this classification to include three additional phyla: Thaumarchaeota, Nanoarchaeota, and Korarchaeota, each exhibiting unique characteristics and ecological roles.Thaumarchaeota: Mesophiles...
276
01:20Applications of Molecular Taxonomy
329
Molecular taxonomy has revolutionized the understanding and classification of bacteria, providing precise insights into their diversity, evolutionary relationships, and ecological roles. By utilizing molecular techniques such as DNA sequencing and fingerprinting, researchers have made significant strides in various fields related to bacterial studies.Resolving Taxonomic AmbiguitiesMolecular taxonomy has been instrumental in distinguishing closely related bacterial species initially thought to...
329
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
269
Hyperthermophilic archaea are a group of extremophiles thriving at temperatures above 80°C, often in hydrothermal vents and volcanic soils where conditions surpass the boiling point of water. At such temperatures, proteins, membranes, and DNA in most organisms degrade, but hyperthermophiles have evolved remarkable adaptations to maintain stability and function.Unique Cellular FeaturesHyperthermophilic membranes are composed of a monolayer of biphytanyl tetraether lipids, which resist...
269
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
206
Crenarchaeota, a prominent phylum of Archaea, is remarkable for its ability to thrive in extreme environments characterized by high temperatures and acidity. These microorganisms inhabit sulfuric hot springs, volcanic systems, and submarine hydrothermal vents, where temperatures often exceed 100°C. The unique adaptations of Crenarchaeota not only allow survival under such extreme conditions but also provide insights into the mechanisms of life in primordial Earth-like...
206
01:15Diversity of Protists I
657
Excavata is a diverse group of protists that includes both chemoorganotrophic and phototrophic species, with some thriving in anaerobic environments. Among the key groups within Excavata are diplomonads and parabasalids, which are flagellated protists that lack mitochondria and chloroplasts. These microorganisms typically inhabit anoxic environments, such as the intestines of animals, where they exist either symbiotically or as parasites, relying on fermentation for energy production. Some...
657