Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 24, 2025
10:43
Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology
Published on: November 5, 2014
25.8K
Long-term patterns of an interconnected core marine microbiota.
Anders K Krabberød1, Ina M Deutschmann2, Marit F M Bjorbækmo3
1Department of Biosciences, Section for Genetics and Evolutionary Biology (Evogene), University of Oslo, Blindernv. 31, 0316, Oslo, Norway. a.k.krabberod@ibv.uio.no.
Environmental Microbiome
|May 7, 2022
Summary
A decade-long study revealed a dynamic core marine microbiota, essential for ecosystem function. This interconnected community of bacteria and protists showed seasonal patterns, with winter interactions being most significant.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Ecosystem dynamics
- Biogeochemical cycles
Background:
- Ocean microbes are vital, comprising 70% of marine biomass and driving 50% of Earth's primary production.
- Core microbial taxa are key to ecosystem function but remain poorly understood due to identification challenges.
- Existing methods focus on occurrence and abundance, neglecting crucial species interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interconnected bacteria and protists within the core pelagic microbiota.
- To analyze microbial community dynamics over a decade at a Mediterranean marine-coastal observatory.
- To understand the role of species interactions in defining core marine microbes.
Main Methods:
- Defined core microbes as Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) present in >30% of monthly samples over 10 years with strong associations.
- Analyzed 259 core OTUs (182 bacteria, 77 protists) and 1411 strong, mostly positive associations.
- Examined seasonal and environmental variations in core OTU richness, abundance, and network connectivity.
Main Results:
- Identified a core microbiota of 259 OTUs with predominantly positive associations (95%).
- Observed annual variations in core OTU richness and abundance, linked to water temperature and mixing.
- Found seasonal preferences, with winter exhibiting the highest network connectivity and a group of 13 hub-OTUs dominating winter/spring.
Conclusions:
- A small, dynamic, interconnected core microbiota sustains temperate marine-coastal ecosystem function year-round.
- Species interactions are more deterministic in winter, highlighting seasonal influences on microbial community structure.
- Core microbes are essential, while non-core taxa may be redundant, underscoring the importance of understanding core microbial dynamics for ocean health.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Microbial Morphologies
942
Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...
942
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
672
The gut microbiome is formed by a vast and diverse community of bacteria that colonizes our large intestine. These bacteria start residing in the gut from birth and continue diversifying throughout life, influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, and stress. The gut bacterial community also includes bacteria from food and those that enter the colon through the anus.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
672
01:29Diversity of Archaea IV
123
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...
123
01:24Diversity of Archaea II
112
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...
112
01:27Diversity of Archaea III
91
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...
91
01:30Diversity of Archaea I
125
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...
125