Anthony M Bonacolta, Pieter T Visscher, Javier Del Campo, Richard Allen White Iii
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Protists are less studied for their role and diversity in ecosystems. Notably, protists have played and still play an important role in microbialites. Microbialites, or lithified microbial mats, represent the oldest evidence of fossil biofilms (~3.5 Gyr). Modern microbialites may offer a unique proxy to study the potential role of protists within a geological context. We examined protist diversity in freshwater (Kelly and Pavilion Lake in British Columbia, Canada) and marine (Highborne Cay, Bahamas) to hypersaline (Shark Bay, Australia) microbialites to decipher their geomicrobiological role. The freshwater microbialite communities were clearly distinct from their marine and hypersaline counterparts. Chlorophytes had higher numerical abundance in freshwater microbialites; whereas pennate diatoms dominated numerically in marine microbialites. Despite the differences, protists across ecosystems may have adopted similar roles and functions. We suggest a consistent biogeochemical role of protists across microbialites globally; but that salinity may shape protist composition and evolution in these ecosystems.
期刊介绍:
npj Biofilms and Microbiomes is a comprehensive platform that promotes research on biofilms and microbiomes across various scientific disciplines. The journal facilitates cross-disciplinary discussions to enhance our understanding of the biology, ecology, and communal functions of biofilms, populations, and communities. It also focuses on applications in the medical, environmental, and engineering domains. The scope of the journal encompasses all aspects of the field, ranging from cell-cell communication and single cell interactions to the microbiomes of humans, animals, plants, and natural and built environments. The journal also welcomes research on the virome, phageome, mycome, and fungome. It publishes both applied science and theoretical work. As an open access and interdisciplinary journal, its primary goal is to publish significant scientific advancements in microbial biofilms and microbiomes. The journal enables discussions that span multiple disciplines and contributes to our understanding of the social behavior of microbial biofilm populations and communities, and their impact on life, human health, and the environment.