Community dynamics of microbial eukaryotes in intertidal mudflats in the hypertidal Bay of Fundy.

ABSTRACT: Protists (microbial eukaryotes) are a critically important but understudied group of microorganisms. They are ubiquitous, represent most of the genetic and functional diversity among eukaryotes, and play essential roles in nutrient and energy cycling. Yet, protists remain a black box in marine sedimentary ecosystems like the intertidal mudflats in the Bay of Fundy. The harsh conditions of the intertidal zone and high energy nature of tides in the Bay of Fundy provide an ideal system for gaining insights into the major food web players, diversity patterns and potential structuring influences of protist communities. Our 18S rDNA metabarcoding study quantified seasonal variations and vertical stratification of protist communities in Bay of Fundy mudflat sediments. Three 'SAR' lineages were co

SUBMITTER: Kalu EI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10014957 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature