Open AccessMillimeter‐scale genetic gradients and community‐level molecular convergence in a hypersaline microbial mat
Author(s) -
Kunin Victor,
Raes Jeroen,
Harris J Kirk,
Spear John R,
Walker Jeffrey J,
Ivanova Natalia,
von Mering Christian,
Bebout Brad M,
Pace Norman R,
Bork Peer,
Hugenholtz Philip
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
molecular systems biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.523
H-Index - 148
ISSN - 1744-4292
DOI - 10.1038/msb.2008.35
Subject(s) - biology , isoelectric point , extreme environment , microbial population biology , stratification (seeds) , metagenomics , scale (ratio) , ecology , genetics , gene , biochemistry , botany , bacteria , enzyme , physics , quantum mechanics , seed dormancy , germination , dormancy
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.