Microbial Ecology最新文献

{"title":"Darkness to Discovery: A Comprehensive Mini-Review on Culturable and Non-Culturable Microbial Diversity from Deep Sea.","authors":"Abhay B Fulke, Nilkanth Sharma, Jayshree Nadekar","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02527-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02527-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microorganisms are essential players in Earth's ecosystems, demonstrating remarkable adaptability to harsh conditions including arctic ice caps, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and high-pressure oceanic zones. While the study of these extremophiles has long been constrained by challenges in culturing, recent advances in metagenomic techniques have enabled a deeper understanding of microbial diversity in these extreme habitats. This review explores both culturable and non-culturable microbial communities, focusing on the diverse strategies employed by microorganisms to thrive in harsh conditions, including high pressure, temperature, salinity, and nutrient limitations. Traditional cultivation methods often fail to capture the full spectrum of deep-sea microbiota due to the unique growth requirements of many organisms. In the omic era, however, microbial cultivation and the function of microbial resources are important. Non-culturable methods, like metagenomic studies and environmental DNA sequencing, have uncovered hitherto unknown microbial taxa and metabolic pathways, offering important new information on microbial ecology and biogeochemistry. The complex microbial interactions and adaptive methods that support these ecosystems are highlighted by case studies, including as studies on hydrothermal plumes and hadal deposits. The expanding significance of non-culturable techniques in microbial research is highlighted in this review, which also highlights how they might help us better understand microbial life in harsh conditions and how they may be used in biotechnology and environmental management.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"77"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12274225/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144659631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolomic Insights into Cross-Feeding Interactions Between Priestia megaterium PM and Pseudomonas fluorescens NO4: Unveiling Microbial Communication in Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria.","authors":"Nompumelelo R Sibanyoni, Lizelle A Piater, Pavel Kerchev, Ntakadzeni E Madala, Msizi I Mhlongo","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02577-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02577-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) engage in complex chemical exchange and signalling processes to enhance their survival, rhizosphere colonisation, and plant-beneficial roles. These microbial interactions are mediated by various chemical cues, including quorum sensing (QS) molecules, cyclic peptides, lipopeptides, nutrients, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and phytohormones. Cross-feeding, where one microorganism consumes metabolites produced by another, exemplifies direct chemical communication that shapes community dynamics and metabolic cooperation. However, the effects of cross-feeding among different PGPR strains remain insufficiently characterised. In this study, an LC-MS-based metabolomics approach, combined with multivariate statistical analysis, was employed to investigate metabolic perturbations induced by cross-feeding among PGPR strains. Growth curve analysis revealed that cross-fed PGPR exhibited growth patterns comparable to controls, with a slight reduction in biomass. Metabolic profiling indicated time-dependent shifts in the metabolic state of the cross-fed organisms, suggesting adaptive metabolic reprogramming in response to the donor-conditioned media. Multivariate analysis identified distinct metabolite alterations between cross-fed and control groups across different time points, highlighting the influence of nutrient availability on microbial growth dynamics. Notably, cross-fed groups showed decreased levels of primary metabolites such as amino acids and sugars alongside increased production of secondary metabolites, including surfactins, salicylic acid, and carboxylic acids. These secondary metabolites are implicated in plant growth promotion and defence, indicating their potential as natural biostimulants. The findings advance the understanding of PGPR interactions and chemical communication in the rhizosphere, supporting the development of sustainable agricultural practices by leveraging beneficial microbial interactions. Future research should explore these interactions within more complex microbial communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"76"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12270958/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144659632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Insights Into Proliferation Effects of Low-Dose Glyphosate on Phytoplankton Communities.","authors":"Jinzhu Su, YuPing Su, Yuxin Weng, Gohar Ayub, Chenxing She, Yumei Xiao","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02581-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02581-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glyphosate-based herbicides are among the most widely used agricultural chemicals globally, and their widespread application presents risks to environmental health and aquatic ecosystems. Continuous glyphosate inputs disrupt phytoplankton communities, potentially triggering harmful algal blooms. This study examines the proliferation of microalgal species exposed to low glyphosate concentrations (0.05 mg/L) and various phosphorus sources, with a particular focus on C-P and C-O-P bond phosphonates, which have been insufficiently studied in previous research. We hypothesized that cyanobacteria might exhibit a competitive growth advantage over other algal species when exposed to C-P bond glyphosate, especially under phosphorus-limited conditions. In monoculture experiments, Microcystis aeruginosa and Peridinium umbonatum var. inaequale significantly increased their biomass when cultured with C-P bond phosphonates, whereas Scenedesmus bijuga failed to thrive under similar conditions. Peridinium umbonatum var. inaequale also displayed increased soluble protein content in response to glyphosate stress, indicating an adaptive stress response. In co-culture experiments, M. aeruginosa demonstrated greater tolerance to glyphosate than P. umbonatum var. inaequale, though biomass increases were not significantly correlated with soluble protein or APA. Sediment-water interface experiments revealed that glyphosate exposure significantly promoted cyanobacterial biomass, which was approximately five times greater than that of the inorganic phosphorus group. Notably, when cyanobacterial biomass exceeded 20% of the total, Cyanophyta replaced Chlorophyta as the dominant group, suggesting a potential competitive advantage under low-dose glyphosate exposure. These findings highlight that glyphosate may promote cyanobacterial dominance by altering phytoplankton community composition, potentially contributing to the increased frequency of harmful algal blooms in nutrient-limited aquatic environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"75"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12267383/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144649819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Transcriptome Analysis of the Fat Body of the Maize Pest Delphacodes kuscheli (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) Reveals Essential Roles of Fungal Endosymbionts.","authors":"Agustina Pascual, Franco Calabresi, Daniela de la Fuente, M Inés Catalano, M Eugenia Brentassi","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02572-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02572-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The fat body of certain insects, in addition to performing essential biosynthetic and metabolic functions, harbors endosymbionts that play critical roles for their host. While knowledge of the diversity and functions of fungal endosymbionts harbored in the fat body of planthoppers is mostly limited to rice pests of Asia, our study presents a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the fat body of Delphacodes kuscheli (Hemiptera: Delphacidae), an important agricultural pest of maize in Argentina. The dominant fungal endosymbionts, identified as yeast-like symbionts (YLS), include members of the genera Ophiocordyceps, Cordyceps, Hirsutella, and Tolypocladium (Ascomycota: Hypocreales). Transcriptomic data reveal that the fungal endosymbionts encode genes involved in vital metabolic processes for the host, such as essential amino acid biosynthesis, nitrogen recycling, and steroid biosynthesis. The genetic contribution of these endosymbionts to nutrient provision and metabolism supports a mutualistic obligate relationship with D. kuscheli. The results presented here provide insights into the evolutionary dynamics of endosymbiosis in the Delphacidae. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of YLS as promising targets for innovative pest control strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"74"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12255559/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144619081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diversity of the Ixodes ricinus Microbiome Across Belgian Ecoregions and Its Association with Pathogen and Symbiont Presence.","authors":"Camille Philippe, Lianet Abuin Denis, Manoj Fonville, Bert Devriendt, François E Dufrasne, Dasiel Obregon, Apolline Maître, Štefánia Skičková, Eric Cox, Hein Sprong, Alejandro Cabezas Cruz, Marcella Mori","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02571-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02571-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ticks are important vectors of zoonotic pathogens, and their presence can be influenced by the composition of the tick microbiome. In turn, this microbiome is shaped by environmental and ecological factors, as demonstrated in several studies conducted under controlled conditions. However, the extent of these influences under natural ecological conditions remains underexplored. In this study, we investigated the diversity of the microbiome and the prevalence of pathogens in Ixodes ricinus nymphs across three distinct Belgian ecoregions: Sandy Loam, Condroz, and Ardennes. Using real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and Oxford Nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing, we assessed how geography and pathogen presence influence tick-associated microbial communities. Our results revealed significant regional differences in microbiome composition and pathogen prevalence. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) was most prevalent in the Ardennes (9% (7.4-10.9) vs 3.8% (2.8-5.2) in the Condroz and 2.1% (1.4-3.2) in Sandy Loam) while Anaplasma phagocytophilum was more common in the Sandy Loam region (21.1% (18.7-23.8) vs 4% (3-5.4) in the Condroz and 3.2% (2.2-4.4) in the Ardennes). Endosymbionts such as Midichloria mitochondrii and Spiroplasma ixodetis also exhibited distinct geographic distributions. Network analysis identified potential pathogen-microbiota interactions, with certain bacterial taxa showing positive or negative associations with specific pathogens. Moreover, microbiome composition was influenced not only by ecoregion but also by microorganisms such as Rickettsia helvetica, suggesting that its colonization may actively shape microbial community structure, potentially through competition or facilitation mechanisms. Additionally, microbiome network robustness varied across ecoregions, highlighting the role of ecological context in shaping microbial interactions within ticks. These findings underscore the complex interplay between geography, pathogen presence, and microbial diversity in ticks, highlighting the importance of integrating these interactions to inform microbiome-based strategies for vector control and disease prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"73"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12245972/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144600977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Small Things that Make a Big Difference: Single-Cell Transcriptomic of Nanociliates Reveals Genes Potentially Involved in Mixotrophy.","authors":"Filomena Romano, Uwe John, Michele Laval-Peuto, Paraskevi Pitta","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02575-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02575-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nanociliates play an important role in the microbial food web of oligotrophic marine systems as grazers of picoplankton on one side, and as prey for microplankton, on the other. However, knowledge on their taxonomy, phylogeny, and trophic strategies is very limited, as well as their potential role as mixotrophs. In the present study, we investigated the transcriptomes of five marine planktonic nanociliates isolated from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Our aim was the following: (i) to characterize the phylogenetic placement of these cells using concatenated phylotranscriptomic and (ii) to identify genes potentially involved in mixotrophy by focusing on both photosynthesis and digestion-related genes (phagosome, lysosome). Phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that two cells clustered with Tintinnida, while the other three clustered with Oligotrichida. Reciprocal best hits (RHBs) BlastP analysis indicated the presence of genes related to photosynthesis across all the transcriptomes, while the detection of genes associated with phagosome, lysosome, and generic metabolic pathways provided a more informative insight into the mechanism of mixotrophy. These findings suggest that photosynthesis-related genes alone may not be sufficient indicators of mixotrophic potential in nanociliates and highlight the importance of considering additional cellular pathways involved in phagotrophy. Moreover, these transcriptomes will help to establish a basis for the evaluation of differential gene expression in Oligotrichida, Choreotrichida, and Tintinnida, and a step stone for mixotrophic investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"72"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12241210/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144591788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Microbiome of an Invasive Spider: Reduced Bacterial Richness, but no Indication of Microbial-Mediated Dispersal Behaviour.","authors":"Nijat Nariman, Martin H Entling, Henrik Krehenwinkel, Susan Kennedy","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02565-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02565-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mermessus trilobatus, an invasive North American linyphiid spider, has expanded its invasion range up to 1400 km in Europe, accelerating its dispersal speed in less than 40 years. The high heritability of dispersal behaviour and the spatial sorting of high and low dispersers indicate a genetic basis of dispersal behaviour. However, microbial endosymbionts can moderate dispersal behaviour in related species (Rickettsia in Erigone atra). Hence, dispersal behaviour in M. trilobatus might also be dictated by the activity of dispersal-mediating endosymbionts. Here, we investigated the microbiome of invasive M. trilobatus spiders extracted from (1) high- and low-dispersive individuals and (2) spiders originating from locations close to the edge and core of the expansion. We examine the microbiomes for the presence of potential dispersal- and reproduction-mediating bacterial strains and compare the microbial assemblages of spiders based on their dispersal behaviour and locations of origin. The composition of microbial assemblages was similar among spiders of different geographic origins and dispersal behaviour. However, microbial richness was lower in high- than in low-dispersive individuals. Surprisingly, none of the known dispersal- or reproduction-altering endosymbionts of arthropods was identified in any tested spider. This contrasts with published results from North America, where M. trilobatus is a known host of Rickettsia and Wolbachia. Thus, the invasive European population appears to have lost its associated endosymbionts. As endosymbionts can reduce spider mobility, it is possible that their absence facilitates the spread of the invasive spider population. The absence of endosymbionts among the analysed individuals substantiates the role of genetic mechanisms behind the variable dispersal behaviour of invasive M. trilobatus in Europe.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"70"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222337/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540872","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Responses of Microbial Community to Heterogeneous Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Constituents in the Hyporheic Zones of Treated Sewage-Dominated Rivers.","authors":"Tao He, Yudong Chen, Yutao Wang, Zongyi Peng, You Mou, Longfei Wang","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02569-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02569-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The hyporheic zone (HZ) of treated sewage-dominated rivers serves as a critical biogeochemical hotspot for dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) transformation, yet the mechanisms linking DON chemodiversity to microbial community dynamics remain poorly resolved. This study integrated spectroscopic fingerprinting, machine learning, and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) to unravel the interactions between redox-stratified DON fractions and microbial consortia in two effluent-impacted rivers (Xi'an, China). The results revealed that DOM spectral parameters associated with distinct DON characteristics posed distinct effects on microbial communities, with the communities in oxic zones largely impacted by autobiogenic, aromatic, and protein-like DON, while the communities in suboxic zones were more intensely impacted by the humification degree of DON. Microbial communities exhibited redox-dependent niche differentiation; i.e., keystone taxa in oxic zones (e.g., Gamma-Proteobacteria) drove nitrogen assimilation, while suboxic taxa (e.g., Verrucomicrobia) prioritized stress-resistant D-amino acid metabolism. PLS-PM demonstrated that biomarkers exerted stronger control on nitrogen cycling (|path coefficients|> 0.6, P < 0.05) than keystone taxa, with summer communities showing higher model fit. Treated sewage-derived DON fostered specialized consortia through biochemical trade-offs, i.e., methionine recycling in oxic zones versus peptidoglycan modification in suboxic zones, thus highlighting the critical role of HZ in mitigating nitrogen pollution. These findings advance predictive modeling of DON-microbe interactions in anthropogenically perturbed aquatic ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"71"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222342/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Survey and Genetic Identification of Wolbachia Endosymbionts in Dwelling-Caught Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Mosquitoes from Taiwan.","authors":"Li-Lian Chao, Chien-Ming Shih","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02570-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02570-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The genetic identity of Wolbachia endosymbionts was determined in dwelling-caught Culex quinquefasciatus from Taiwan. A total of 370 Cx. quinquefasciatus (245 females and 125 males) was initially screened for Wolbachia infection targeting the universal 16S gene, and the positive samples were further identified their genogroup by a nested-polymerase chain reaction assay to amplify the group-specific Wolbachia surface protein (wsp) gene. In general, 44.59% of Cx. quinquefasciatus was detected with Wolbachia endosymbionts, and 43.2% (54/125) in male and 45.31% (111/245) in female. The group-specific detection was observed in 2.16% (8/370), 41.35% (153/370), and 1.08% (4/370) with groups A, B, and co-infection (A&B), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the genetic identities of these Taiwan strains were genetically similar to the groups A and B of Wolbachia with the high sequence homogeneity of 98.7-100% and 96.5-99.8%, respectively. Genetic relatedness is clearly discriminated using both methods of maximum likelihood (ML) and unweighted pair group with arithmetic mean (UPGMA). This study demonstrates the initial genetic identity of Wolbachia endosymbionts with a low prevalence (2.16%) of group A and a high prevalence (41.35%) of group B in dwelling-caught Cx. quinquefasciatus of Taiwan. Because the Cx. quinquefasciatus had been known as a vector for various viral pathogens, the possible impacts of Wolbachia endosymbionts on vector competence of Cx. quinquefasciatus in Taiwan need to be further identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"69"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12222272/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fungi Follow Flora, Bacteria Track the Seasons: A Tale of a Changing Landscape.","authors":"Emily L Embury, Adriana L Romero-Olivares","doi":"10.1007/s00248-025-02568-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s00248-025-02568-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbes play critical roles in dryland ecosystems, driving nutrient cycling, soil stability, and plant interactions. Despite their ecological importance, few studies have examined how microbial communities respond to vegetation changes in arid landscapes. In the northern extent of the Chihuahuan Desert, the encroachment of woody shrubs into grasslands has been occurring since the 1800s, largely driven by extensive livestock grazing and increased drought levels. In this study, we investigated how microbial communities respond to both biotic (i.e., vegetation) and abiotic (i.e., seasonality) factors, how they assemble in a changing landscape, and which taxa may be particularly responsive to shrub encroachment or even facilitating this transformation. We assessed microbial communities using soil surface samples across five distinct seasonal periods in a grassland-to-shrubland gradient in the Jornada Experimental Range in the Chihuahuan Desert through the use of phospholipid fatty-acid analysis and DNA metabarcoding techniques. Our findings reveal that bacterial and fungal biomass are significantly influenced by seasonal changes, with strong correlations to humidity and temperature fluctuations. We also found that fungal community assembly and diversity were highly impacted by vegetation whereas seasons were more impactful on bacteria. Our results support the idea that microbes may be playing a crucial role in facilitating the grassland-to-shrubland transition. Overall, our study highlights the complex interactions between microbial communities and biotic and abiotic factors in dryland systems. These findings are essential for understanding the future of dryland ecosystems undergoing shrub encroachment and provide a critical foundation for guiding restoration efforts, particularly those looking to incorporate microbial-mediated solutions.</p>","PeriodicalId":18708,"journal":{"name":"Microbial Ecology","volume":"88 1","pages":"68"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12178982/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144333516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}