Distinct patterns Microbial biogeography

1 distinct patterns

1.1 reversed latitudinal diversity gradient
1.2 bipolar latitude distributions
1.3 seasonal variations

distinct patterns
reversed latitudinal diversity gradient

larger organisms tend exhibit latitudinal gradients in species diversity, larger biodiversity existing in tropics , decreasing toward more temperate polar regions. in contrast, study on indoor fungal communities found microbial biodiversity higher in temperate zones in tropics. interestingly, same study found drastically different buildings exhibited same indoor fungal composition in given location, similarity increased proximity. despite human efforts control indoor climates, outside environments appear strongest determinant of indoor fungal composition.

bipolar latitude distributions

certain microbial populations exist in opposite hemispheres , @ complementary latitudes. these ‘bipolar’ (or ‘antitropical’) distributions rarer in macro-organisms; although macro-organisms exhibit latitude gradients, ‘isolation geographic distance’ prevents bipolar distributions (e.g., polar bears not found @ both poles). in contrast, study on marine surface bacteria showed not latitude gradient, complementarity distributions similar populations @ both poles, suggesting no isolation geographic distance . due differences in underlying biogeographic process, dispersal, microbes tend disperse @ high rates , far distances traveling through atmosphere.

seasonal variations

microbial diversity can exhibit striking seasonal patterns @ single geographical location. largely due dormancy, microbial feature not seen in larger animals allows microbial community composition fluctuate in relative abundance of persistent species (rather actual species present). known seed-bank hypothesis , has implications our understanding of ecological resilience , thresholds change.