Seminar of the Department of Microbiology

Evolution of bacterial diversity: Ecological niches, geographic distance, lifestyle, genome size,…

 

Martin Hahn - Associate Professor - Universität Innsbruck – Research Department for Limnology, Mondsee

23.01.2025, 11:00 - Hybrid

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  • or in presence: Seminarraum Biologie - Foyer (Technikerstraße 25, Viktor-Franz-Hess Haus, Parterre).

 

 Abstract

Martin Hahn

What are the drivers of speciation in bacteria? Tend bacterial genera to be generally species rich? A detailed look on the genus Polynucleobacter (Burkholderiaceae, Pseudomonadota) provides insights in the evolution and diversification of this taxon. These bacteria represent ubiquitous freshwater bacteria occurring in many habitats with relative abundances > 10% of bacterioplankton. By using cultivation methods and cultivation-independent methods the environmental distribution and adaptation of several species was revealed. Species differ in adaptation to water chemistry (pH, water hardness) and climate. Abundant species show intercontinental distributions but some hints on geographic barriers were also found. Lifestyle evolution seems to contribute to diversification, however, it is not known if these are only temporary evolutionary phenomena or if these tendencies contribute sustainably to the diversification within the genius. Furthermore, coexisting species show metabolic niche partitioning. All these factors easily explain the evolution of 101 or even 102 Polynucleobacter species, but there are most likely many more species affiliated with this genus.

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