Genome Resolved Biogeography of Mamiellales

Abstract

Among marine phytoplankton, Mamiellales encompass several species from the genera <i>Micromonas</i>, <i>Ostreococcus</i> and <i>Bathycoccus</i>, which are important contributors to primary production. Previous studies based on single gene markers described their wide geographical distribution but led to discussion because of the uneven taxonomic resolution of the method. Here, we leverage genome sequences for six Mamiellales species, two from each genus <i>Micromonas</i>, <i>Ostreococcus</i> and <i>Bathycoccus,</i> to investigate their distribution across 133 stations sampled during the <i>Tara</i> Oceans expedition. Our study confirms the cosmopolitan distribution of Mamiellales and further suggests non-random distribution of species, with two triplets of co-occurring genomes associated with different temperatures: <i>O</i><i>streococcus</i><i>lucimarinus</i>, <i>B</i><i>athycoccus</i><i>prasinos</i> and <i>M</i><i>icromonas</i><i>pusilla</i> were found in colder waters, whereas <i>Ostreococcus</i> spp. RCC809, <i>B</i><i>athycoccus</i> spp. TOSAG39-1 and <i>M</i><i>icromonas</i><i>commoda</i> were more abundant in warmer conditions. We also report the distribution of the two candidate mating-types of <i>Ostreococcus</i> for which the frequency of sexual reproduction was previously assumed to be very low. Indeed, both mating types were systematically detected together in agreement with either frequent sexual reproduction or the high prevalence of a diploid stage. Altogether, these analyses provide novel insights into Mamiellales' biogeography and raise novel testable hypotheses about their life cycle and ecology.