Work

Making sense of environmental sequencing data: Ecologically important functional traits of the protistan groups Cercozoa and Endomyxa (Rhizaria)

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: We have compiled a database of functional traits for two widespread and ecologically important groups of protists, Cercozoa and Endomyxa (Rhizaria). The functional traits of microorganisms are crucially important for interpreting results from environmental sequencing surveys. Linking morphological and ecological traits to environmental factors is common practice in studies involving micro- and macroorganisms, but is rarely applied to protists. Our database provides functional and ecologically significant traits linked to morphology, nutrition, locomotion and habitats. We discuss how the use of functional traits may help to unveil underlying ecosystem processes. This database is intended as a common reference for the molecular ecology community and will boost the understanding of ecosystem functions, especially those driven by biological interactions.

Source: Molecular Ecology Resources

DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13112

Authors: Kenneth Dumack, Anna Maria Fiore‐Donno, David Bass, Michael Bonkowski

Institutions: University of Cologne, Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Natural History Museum

Language: English

Topic: Protist diversity and phylogeny

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,300

Funders: Sight Research UK, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Natural Environment Research Council, Research Committee, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki