Polar lake microbiomes have distinct evolutionary histories
Bjorn Tytgat1, Elie Verleyen1, Maxime Sweetlove1
1Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium.
Science Advances
|November 17, 2023
Summary
Polar lake microbiomes are shaped by long-term evolutionary divergence, not just global dispersal and selection. Each polar region hosts unique microbial life, highlighting the need for conservation of these distinct ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Life at high latitudes is dominated by microorganisms.
- The evolutionary origins of polar microbiomes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that polar microbiomes are recruited from a global species pool via environmental selection.
- To investigate the evolutionary processes shaping polar lake microbial communities.
Main Methods:
- Metabarcoding analysis of Arctic, sub-Antarctic, and Antarctic lacustrine benthic microbial communities.
- Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses to assess taxonomic overlap and diversification.
Main Results:
- Limited taxonomic overlap was observed between polar regions, even at higher taxonomic levels.
- Unique, deep-branching phylogenetic clades were identified in each polar region.
- Significant differences in taxon richness and diversification rates were found between polar regions for both microeukaryotes and bacteria.
Conclusions:
- Long-term evolutionary divergence due to restricted interhemispheric dispersal and isolated diversification has significantly shaped polar lake microbiomes.
- Polar lake ecosystems exhibit distinctive biogeography.
- Conservation efforts must consider the unique microbiota of polar regions.
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