Uncovering hidden phylo- and ecogenomic diversity of the widespread methanotrophic genus Methylobacter.

ABSTRACT: The globally distributed genus Methylobacter plays a crucial role in mitigating methane emissions from diverse ecosystems, including freshwater and marine habitats, wetlands, soils, sediments, groundwater, and landfills. Despite their frequent presence and abundance in these systems, we still know little about the genomic adaptations that they exhibit. Here, we used a collection of 97 genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes to ecogenomically characterize the genus. Our analyses suggest that the genus Methylobacter may contain more species than previously thought, with >30 putative species clusters. Some species clusters shared >98.65% sequence identity of the full-length 16S rRNA gene, demonstrating the need for genome-resolved species delineation. The ecogenomic differences between Methy

SUBMITTER: Wutkowska M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12810054 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature