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High impact of bacterial predation on cyanobacteria in soil biocrusts

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  • Julie Bethany

    (School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
    Arizona State University)

  • Shannon Lynn Johnson

    (Los Alamos National Lab)

  • Ferran Garcia-Pichel

    (School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University
    Arizona State University)

Abstract

Diverse bacteria lead a life as pathogens or predators of other bacteria in many environments. However, their impact on emerging ecological processes in natural settings remains to be assessed. Here we describe a novel type of obligate, intracellular predatory bacterium of widespread distribution that preys on soil cyanobacteria in biocrusts. The predator, Candidatus Cyanoraptor togatus, causes localized, cm-sized epidemics that are visible to the naked eye, obliterates cyanobacterial net primary productivity, and severely impacts crucial biocrust properties like nitrogen cycling, dust trapping and moisture retention. The combined effects of high localized morbidity and areal incidence result in decreases approaching 10% of biocrust productivity at the ecosystem scale. Our findings show that bacterial predation can be an important loss factor shaping not only the structure but also the function of microbial communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Julie Bethany & Shannon Lynn Johnson & Ferran Garcia-Pichel, 2022. "High impact of bacterial predation on cyanobacteria in soil biocrusts," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32427-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32427-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ferran Garcia-Pichel & Olivier Pringault, 2001. "Cyanobacteria track water in desert soils," Nature, Nature, vol. 413(6854), pages 380-381, September.
    2. Estelle Couradeau & Ulas Karaoz & Hsiao Chien Lim & Ulisses Nunes da Rocha & Trent Northen & Eoin Brodie & Ferran Garcia-Pichel, 2016. "Bacteria increase arid-land soil surface temperature through the production of sunscreens," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-7, April.
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