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Taxonomic patterns in the nitrogen assimilation of soil prokaryotes
Author(s) -
Morrissey Ember M.,
Mau Rebecca L.,
Schwartz Egbert,
Koch Benjamin J.,
Hayer Michaela,
Hungate Bruce A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.954
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1462-2920
pISSN - 1462-2912
DOI - 10.1111/1462-2920.14051
Subject(s) - biology , actinobacteria , assimilation (phonology) , taxonomic rank , ecosystem , ecology , firmicutes , nitrogen assimilation , proteobacteria , soil water , nutrient , microorganism , microbial population biology , botany , taxon , bacteria , 16s ribosomal rna , linguistics , philosophy , genetics , nitrate
Summary Nitrogen (N) is frequently a limiting nutrient in soil; its availability can govern ecosystem functions such as primary production and decomposition. Assimilation of N by microorganisms impacts the availability of N in soil. Despite its established ecological significance, the contributions of microbial taxa to N assimilation are unknown. Here we measure N uptake and use by microbial phylotypes and taxonomic groups within a diverse assemblage of soil microbes through quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) with 15 N. Following incubation with 15NH 4 + , distinct patterns of 15 N assimilation among taxonomic groups were observed. For instance, glucose addition stimulated 15 N assimilation in most members of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria but generally decreased 15 N use by Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes. WhileNH 4 +is considered a preferred and universal source of N to prokaryotes, the majority (> 80%) of N assimilation in our soils could be attributed to a handful of active orders. Characterizing N assimilation of taxonomic groups with 15 N qSIP may provide a basis for understanding how microbial community composition influences N availability in the environment.