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Eco-evolutionary dynamics of massive, parallel bacteriophage outbreaks in compost communities
Jeroen Meijer1,2, Petros Skiadas1, Paul B Rainey3,4
1Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Science for Life, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Science Advances
|May 29, 2026
Summary
Bacteriophages like Theomophage can cause massive outbreaks in compost microbial communities. Viral mixing accelerates bacteriophage evolution, revealing dynamics in complex ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Ecology
- Virology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are crucial in microbial ecosystems, but their dynamics in complex communities are understudied.
- Previous research often uses simplified laboratory systems, limiting understanding of natural viral behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bacteriophage dynamics and evolution in complex, natural microbial communities over an extended period.
- To characterize large-scale bacteriophage outbreaks and their genetic stability.
Main Methods:
- Tracking viral dynamics in 20 compost-derived microbial communities over one year.
- Utilizing metagenomic sequencing to quantify viral abundance and diversity.
- Conducting experimental viral community migration to assess evolutionary responses.
Main Results:
- Compost communities stabilized into two distinct types, each with unique cellulose degraders.
- Observed massive outbreaks of the novel bacteriophage Theomophage (Schitoviridae), reaching 74% of reads.
- Theomophage showed genetic stability during outbreaks, while viral migration induced rapid evolution via recombination and mutation.
Conclusions:
- Bacteriophage microdiversity evolves across spatial and temporal scales in complex ecosystems.
- Viral mixing, a common natural phenomenon, significantly accelerates bacteriophage evolution.
- The study highlights the substantial impact of bacteriophages on microbial community structure and function.
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