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Refocusing the microbial rare biosphere concept through a functional lens.

Elena Litchman1, Sébastien Villéger2, Lucie Zinger3

  • 1Department of Global Ecology, Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford, CA, USA; Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, MI, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|July 10, 2024
PubMed
Summary

The rare biosphere concept highlights microbes with low abundance but key roles. This study reframes rarity by focusing on microbial functions and distinct traits, aiding ecological understanding and conservation.

Keywords:
bacteriacommunityfunction abundance distributionsfunctional distinctivenessfunctional rarityfunctional traitsmicrobesmicrobiomes

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Area of Science:

  • Microbial Ecology
  • Functional Trait Analysis
  • Community Ecology

Background:

  • The rare biosphere concept emphasizes the ecological significance of low-abundance microbial taxa.
  • Understanding these rare microbes is crucial for ecosystem functioning and stability.
  • Current understanding often overlooks the functional roles and trait distinctiveness of rare microbes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the rare biosphere concept through a functional trait-based lens.
  • To develop a framework for characterizing microbial functional rarity.
  • To enhance mechanistic understanding of microbial community structure and function.

Main Methods:

  • Refocusing the rare biosphere concept on functional traits.
  • Defining microbial functional rarity as a combination of numerical scarcity and trait distinctiveness.
  • Applying this framework to analyze microbial communities.

Main Results:

  • A novel framework for microbial functional rarity is proposed.
  • This functional perspective enhances the understanding of microbial community structure.
  • Identification of functionally distinct microbes with potentially crucial ecological roles.

Conclusions:

  • Reframing the rare biosphere concept with functional traits deepens ecological insights.
  • The framework aids in identifying and understanding microbes with unique and critical functions.
  • This approach can guide targeted conservation efforts for ecologically important rare microbes.