Freshwater and Sediment Host Distinct Yet Overlapping Microeukaryotic Communities, With Sediment Communities Less Impacted by Treated Wastewater.

ABSTRACT: Freshwater and sediment environments host diverse microeukaryotic communities that differ in structure and composition, yet exhibit taxonomic overlap. Using 18S V9 rRNA gene sequencing, we compared communities from these habitats in controlled 10-day mesocosm experiments, examining diversity, overlap, and responses to treated wastewater (TWW). Habitat type was the strongest determinant of community composition: sediments displayed higher diversity and greater temporal stability than freshwater communities. While many taxa were shared, highly dominant OTUs were mostly rather habitat-specific, whereas taxa occurring evenly across both habitats were generally rare. Distinct trophic structures further distinguished the habitats, with sediments showing relatively balanced assemblages of phototr

SUBMITTER: Kim R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12932744 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar-Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature