Genome-resolved biogeography of Phaeocystales, cosmopolitan bloom-forming algae

作者：Zoltán Füssy, Robert H. Lampe, Kevin R. Arrigo, Kerrie Barry, Margaret Mars Brisbin, Corina P. D. Brussaard, Johan Decelle, Colomban de Vargas, Giacomo R. DiTullio, Liam D. H. Elbourne, Marc E. Frischer, David Goodstein, Igor V. Grigoriev, Richard D. Hayes, Adam Healey, Chase C. James, Jerry Jenkins, Caroline Juéry, Manish Kumar, Adam B. Kustka, Florian Maumus, Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová, Miroslav Obornı́k, Ian T. Paulsen, Ian Probert, Mak A. Saito, Jeremy Schmutz, Tomáš Skalický, Diego Tec-Campos, Hannah Tomelka, Pavlína Věchtová, Pratap Venepally, Brendan Wilson-Mortier, Karsten Zengler, Hong Zheng, Andrew E. Allen · 发表于：Nature Communications · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1038/s41467-025-63565-1 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology、Protist diversity and phylogeny、Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies

Abstract Phaeocystales, comprising the genus Phaeocystis and an uncharacterized sister lineage, are nanoplanktonic haptophytes widespread in the global ocean. Several species form mucilaginous colonies and influence key biogeochemical cycles, yet their underlying diversity and ecological strategies remain underexplored. Here, we present new genomic data from 13 strains, including three high-quality reference genomes (N50 > 30 kbp), and integrate previous metagenome-assembled genomes to resolve a robust phylogeny. Divergence timing of P. antarctica aligns with Miocene cooling and Southern Ocean isolation. Genomic traits reveal metabolic flexibility, including mixotrophic nitrogen acquisition in temperate waters and gene expansions linked to polar nutrient adaptation. Concordantly, transcriptomic comparisons between temperate and polar Phaeocystis suggest Southern Ocean populations experience iron and B 12 limitation. We also identify signatures of horizontal gene transfer and endogenous giant virus/virophage insertions. Together, these findings highlight Phaeocystales as an ecologically versatile and geographically widespread lineage shaped by evolutionary innovation and adaptation to contrasting environmental stressors.