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Basin-scale biogeography of Prochlorococcus and SAR11 ecotype replication
Alyse A Larkin1, George I Hagstrom2, Melissa L Brock3
1Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
The ISME Journal
|October 23, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a new metagenomic method to track microbial replication rates across oceans. The findings reveal how environmental factors and adaptation influence microbial population growth and niche specialization.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Oceanography
- Genomics
Background:
- Understanding microbial functional diversity is key to linking microbial communities with environmental processes.
- Closely related microbial lineages often exhibit significant functional variation, complicating ecological studies.
- Previous methods lacked the resolution to accurately assess ecotype-specific activity in complex environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an improved metagenomic approach for estimating ecotype-specific replication patterns (RObs) across ocean basins.
- To investigate the spatial biogeography and environmental regulation of microbial replication.
- To reveal how adaptation and environmental change shape microbial activity and niche differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 719 metagenomes from Atlantic and Indian Ocean Bio-GO-SHIP sections.
- Implementation of an improved metagenomic approach accounting for sequencing bias and genome structure.
- Estimation of ecotype-specific replication patterns (RObs) and correlation with environmental variables and genomic potential.
Main Results:
- Distinct diel cycles in replication were observed for Prochlorococcus ecotypes.
- Systematic biogeographies in replication patterns were identified for Prochlorococcus and Pelagibacter (SAR11) ecotypes, differing from abundance patterns.
- Replication patterns were significantly regulated by nutrient stress and temperature, linked to genomic traits.
Conclusions:
- The developed method accurately reflects microbial population growth.
- Ecotype-specific replication patterns vary systematically across ocean basins due to adaptation and environmental interactions.
- This study adds an activity-based dimension to understanding microbial niche space in marine environments.
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