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Beyond biogeographic patterns: processes shaping the microbial landscape

Lookup NU author(s): Dr China Hanson

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Abstract

Recently, microbiologists have established the existence of biogeographic patterns among a wide range of microorganisms. The focus of the field is now shifting to identifying the mechanisms that shape these patterns. Here, we propose that four processes — selection, drift, dispersal and mutation — create and maintain microbial biogeographic patterns on inseparable ecological and evolutionary scales. We consider how the interplay of these processes affects one biogeographic pattern, the distance–decay relationship, and review evidence from the published literature for the processes driving this pattern in microorganisms. Given the limitations of inferring processes from biogeographic patterns, we suggest that studies should focus on directly testing the underlying processes.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Hanson CA, Fuhrman JA, Horner-Devine MC, Martiny JBH

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Nature Reviews Microbiology

Year: 2012

Volume: 10

Pages: 497-506

Print publication date: 01/07/2012

ISSN (print): 1740-1526

ISSN (electronic): 1740-1534

Publisher: Nature Publishing Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro2795

DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro2795

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