Wallace’s line structures seagrass microbiota and is a potential barrier to the dispersal of marine bacteria

• DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00568-3
• Publication Date: 2024-04-18T13:02:50Z
• Authors: Benjamin J. Wainw...; Josh Leon; Ernie Vilela; K. J. E. Hickman; Jensen Caldwell; Behlee Aimone; Porter Bischoff; Marissa Ohran; Magnolia W. Morelli; Irma S. Arlyza; Onny N. Marwayana; Geoffrey Zahn
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Research; Microbiology; QR1-502; Environmental sciences; Marine biogeography; 03 medical and health sciences; Wallace’s line; Metabarcoding; GE1-350; Microbiome; Microbial dispersal; Seagrass

Abstract Background The processes that shape microbial biogeography are not well understood, and concepts apply to macroorganisms, like dispersal barriers, may affect microorganisms in the same predictable ways. To better understand how known macro-scale biogeographic can be applied at micro-scales , we examined seagrass associated microbiota on either side of Wallace’s line determine influence this cryptic boundary community structure microorganisms. Communities were from twelve locations throughout Indonesia theoretical line. Results We found significant differences ( R 2 = 0.09; P 0.001), identified seven genera as differentially abundant line, six these more West, with other strongly East. Genera had significantly smaller minimum cell dimensions (GLM: t 923 59.50, < 0.001) than overall community. Conclusion Despite assumed excellent ability microbes, able detect boundary. Samples two closest islands opposite sides Bali Komodo, different each was its most distant island side. suggest limited across barrier coupled habitat primarily responsible for patterns observed. drive macroorganism divergence region also play a role bigeographic microbiota.