Rare taxa maintain microbial diversity and contribute to terrestrial community dynamics throughout bark beetle infestation.

ABSTRACT: A global phenomenon of increasing bark beetle-induced tree mortality has heightened concern regarding ecosystem response and biogeochemical implications. Here we explore microbial dynamics under lodgepole pines through the analysis of bulk (16S rDNA) and potentially active (16S rRNA) communities to understand terrestrial ecosystem responses associated with this form of large-scale tree morality. We found that the relative abundance of bulk and potentially active taxa was correlated across taxonomic levels, but at lower levels cladal differences became more apparent. Despite this correlation, there was a strong differentiation of community composition between bulk and potentially active taxa, with further clustering in association with stages of tree mortality. Surprisingly, community clust

SUBMITTER: Mikkelson KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5103090 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature