Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures
Abstract Lake Untersee, a lake in Antarctica that is perennially covered with ice, is home to unique microbial structures that are not lithified. We have evaluated the structure of the community and its metabolic potential across the pigmented upper layers and the sediment‐enriched deeper layers in...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16663 |
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crwiley:10.1111/1462-2920.16663 2024-09-15T17:48:41+00:00 Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures Greco, Carla Andersen, Dale T. Yallop, Marian L. Barker, Gary Jungblut, Anne D. Fondation familiale Trottier National Aeronautics and Space Administration UK Research and Innovation 2024 http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16663 en eng Wiley http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Environmental Microbiology volume 26, issue 6 ISSN 1462-2912 1462-2920 journal-article 2024 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16663 2024-09-05T05:08:55Z Abstract Lake Untersee, a lake in Antarctica that is perennially covered with ice, is home to unique microbial structures that are not lithified. We have evaluated the structure of the community and its metabolic potential across the pigmented upper layers and the sediment‐enriched deeper layers in these pinnacle and cone‐shaped microbial structures using metagenomics. These microbial structures are inhabited by distinct communities. The upper layers of the cone‐shaped structures have a higher abundance of the cyanobacterial MAG Microcoleus , while the pinnacle‐shaped structures have a higher abundance of Elainellacea MAG. This suggests that cyanobacteria influence the morphologies of the mats. We identified stark contrasts in the composition of the community and its metabolic potential between the upper and lower layers of the mat. The upper layers of the mat, which receive light, have an increased abundance of photosynthetic pathways. In contrast, the lower layer has an increased abundance of heterotrophic pathways. Our results also showed that Lake Untersee is the first Antarctic lake with a substantial presence of ammonia‐oxidizing Nitrospiracea and amoA genes. The genomic capacity for recycling biological molecules was prevalent across metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) that cover 19 phyla. This highlights the importance of nutrient scavenging in ultra‐oligotrophic environments. Overall, our study provides new insights into the formation of microbial structures and the potential metabolic complexity of Antarctic laminated microbial mats. These mats are important environments for biodiversity that drives biogeochemical cycling in polar deserts. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Wiley Online Library Environmental Microbiology 26 6 |
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English |
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Abstract Lake Untersee, a lake in Antarctica that is perennially covered with ice, is home to unique microbial structures that are not lithified. We have evaluated the structure of the community and its metabolic potential across the pigmented upper layers and the sediment‐enriched deeper layers in these pinnacle and cone‐shaped microbial structures using metagenomics. These microbial structures are inhabited by distinct communities. The upper layers of the cone‐shaped structures have a higher abundance of the cyanobacterial MAG Microcoleus , while the pinnacle‐shaped structures have a higher abundance of Elainellacea MAG. This suggests that cyanobacteria influence the morphologies of the mats. We identified stark contrasts in the composition of the community and its metabolic potential between the upper and lower layers of the mat. The upper layers of the mat, which receive light, have an increased abundance of photosynthetic pathways. In contrast, the lower layer has an increased abundance of heterotrophic pathways. Our results also showed that Lake Untersee is the first Antarctic lake with a substantial presence of ammonia‐oxidizing Nitrospiracea and amoA genes. The genomic capacity for recycling biological molecules was prevalent across metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) that cover 19 phyla. This highlights the importance of nutrient scavenging in ultra‐oligotrophic environments. Overall, our study provides new insights into the formation of microbial structures and the potential metabolic complexity of Antarctic laminated microbial mats. These mats are important environments for biodiversity that drives biogeochemical cycling in polar deserts. |
author2 |
Fondation familiale Trottier National Aeronautics and Space Administration UK Research and Innovation |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Greco, Carla Andersen, Dale T. Yallop, Marian L. Barker, Gary Jungblut, Anne D. |
spellingShingle |
Greco, Carla Andersen, Dale T. Yallop, Marian L. Barker, Gary Jungblut, Anne D. Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures |
author_facet |
Greco, Carla Andersen, Dale T. Yallop, Marian L. Barker, Gary Jungblut, Anne D. |
author_sort |
Greco, Carla |
title |
Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures |
title_short |
Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures |
title_full |
Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures |
title_fullStr |
Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures |
title_full_unstemmed |
Genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in Antarctic lake microbial structures |
title_sort |
genome‐resolved metagenomics reveals diverse taxa and metabolic complexity in antarctic lake microbial structures |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16663 |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica |
op_source |
Environmental Microbiology volume 26, issue 6 ISSN 1462-2912 1462-2920 |
op_rights |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16663 |
container_title |
Environmental Microbiology |
container_volume |
26 |
container_issue |
6 |
_version_ |
1810290177661206528 |