Author
Listed:
- Justin Bahl
(Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School)
- Maggie C. Y. Lau
(School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.)
- Gavin J. D. Smith
(Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School)
- Dhanasekaran Vijaykrishna
(Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School)
- S. Craig Cary
(The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand.)
- Donnabella C. Lacap
(School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.)
- Charles K. Lee
(The University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand.)
- R. Thane Papke
(University of Connecticut)
- Kimberley A. Warren-Rhodes
(NASA Ames Research Center)
- Fiona K. Y. Wong
(School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.)
- Christopher P. McKay
(NASA Ames Research Center)
- Stephen B. Pointing
(School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.)
Abstract
Factors governing large-scale spatio-temporal distribution of microorganisms remain unresolved, yet are pivotal to understanding ecosystem value and function. Molecular genetic analyses have focused on the influence of niche and neutral processes in determining spatial patterns without considering the temporal scale. Here, we use temporal phylogenetic analysis calibrated using microfossil data for a globally sampled desert cyanobacterium, Chroococcidiopsis, to investigate spatio-temporal patterns in microbial biogeography and evolution. Multilocus phylogenetic associations were dependent on contemporary climate with no evidence for distance-related patterns. Massively parallel pyrosequencing of environmental samples confirmed that Chroococcidiopsis variants were specific to either hot or cold deserts. Temporally scaled phylogenetic analyses showed no evidence of recent inter-regional gene flow, indicating populations have not shared common ancestry since before the formation of modern continents. These results indicate that global distribution of desert cyanobacteria has not resulted from widespread contemporary dispersal but is an ancient evolutionary legacy. This highlights the importance of considering temporal scales in microbial biogeography.
Suggested Citation
Justin Bahl & Maggie C. Y. Lau & Gavin J. D. Smith & Dhanasekaran Vijaykrishna & S. Craig Cary & Donnabella C. Lacap & Charles K. Lee & R. Thane Papke & Kimberley A. Warren-Rhodes & Fiona K. Y. Wong &, 2011.
"Ancient origins determine global biogeography of hot and cold desert cyanobacteria,"
Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 2(1), pages 1-6, September.
Handle:
RePEc:nat:natcom:v:2:y:2011:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1167
DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1167
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