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Metabolic flexibility as a major predictor of spatial distribution in microbial communities

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Carbonero, Franck, Oakley, Brian B. and Purdy, Kevin J. (2014) Metabolic flexibility as a major predictor of spatial distribution in microbial communities. PLoS One, Volume 9 (Number 1). Article number e85105. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0085105

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085105

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Abstract

A better understand the ecology of microbes and their role in the global ecosystem could be achieved if traditional ecological theories can be applied to microbes. In ecology organisms are defined as specialists or generalists according to the breadth of their niche. Spatial distribution is often used as a proxy measure of niche breadth; generalists have broad niches and a wide spatial distribution and specialists a narrow niche and spatial distribution. Previous studies suggest that microbial distribution patterns are contrary to this idea; a microbial generalist genus (Desulfobulbus) has a limited spatial distribution while a specialist genus (Methanosaeta) has a cosmopolitan distribution. Therefore, we hypothesise that this counter-intuitive distribution within generalist and specialist microbial genera is a common microbial characteristic. Using molecular fingerprinting the distribution of four microbial genera, two generalists, Desulfobulbus and the methanogenic archaea Methanosarcina, and two specialists, Methanosaeta and the sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfobacter were analysed in sediment samples from along a UK estuary. Detected genotypes of both generalist genera showed a distinct spatial distribution, significantly correlated with geographic distance between sites. Genotypes of both specialist genera showed no significant differential spatial distribution. These data support the hypothesis that the spatial distribution of specialist and generalist microbes does not match that seen with specialist and generalist large organisms. It may be that generalist microbes, while having a wider potential niche, are constrained, possibly by intrageneric competition, to exploit only a small part of that potential niche while specialists, with far fewer constraints to their niche, are more capable of filling their potential niche more effectively, perhaps by avoiding intrageneric competition. We suggest that these counter-intuitive distribution patterns may be a common feature of microbes in general and represent a distinct microbial principle in ecology, which is a real challenge if we are to develop a truly inclusive ecology.

Item Type: Journal Article
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Faculty of Science > Life Sciences (2010- )
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): Bacteria -- Ecology, Microbial metabolism
Journal or Publication Title: PLoS One
Publisher: Public Library of Science
ISSN: 1932-6203
Official Date: 2014
Dates:
DateEvent
2014Published
Volume: Volume 9
Number: Number 1
Page Range: Article number e85105
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085105
Status: Peer Reviewed
Publication Status: Published
Access rights to Published version: Open Access
Funder: European Commission (EC), Marie Curie Actions, Excellence Grant for Teams
Grant number: MEXT-CT-2005-024112 (EC/MC)

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