Millimeter-scale genetic gradients and community-level molecular convergence in a hypersaline microbial mat.
To investigate the extent of genetic stratification in structured microbial communities, we compared the metagenomes of 10 successive layers of a phylogenetically complex hypersaline mat from Guerrero Negro, Mexico. We found pronounced millimeter-scale genetic gradients that were consistent with the physicochemical profile of the mat. Despite these gradients, all layers displayed near-identical and acid-shifted isoelectric point profiles due to a molecular convergence of amino-acid usage, indicating that hypersalinity enforces an overriding selective pressure on the mat community.
Kunin
Victor
V
Microbial Ecology Program, DOE Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA, USA.
Raes
Jeroen
J
Harris
J Kirk
JK
Spear
John R
JR
Walker
Jeffrey J
JJ
Ivanova
Natalia
N
von Mering
Christian
C
Bebout
Brad M
BM
Pace
Norman R
NR
Bork
Peer
P
Hugenholtz
Philip
P
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005827:Genetics, Microbial; D008800:Mexico; D054712:Salinity; D012641:Selection, Genetic
D000596:Amino Acids