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Microorganismal hyperdiversity

Microorganismal Hyperdiversity

"A handful of soil contains billions ofmicrobial organisms, so many different types that accurate numbers remain unknown", [Pace 1997] .

One estimate is that over 90 % of microorganisms have never been cultivated [Amann 1995] .

• Are microorganism a hyperdiverse grouping, and if so, why is there diversity relatively undocumented?

Part of the problem is in determining exactly what is a "species" for microorganisms, as the conventional "biological species concept" may be oflittle relevance. The increased use of molecular techniques on environmental samples, rather that conventional culturing, also suggests far higher levels of microbial diversity than previously predicted. See [O'Donnell et al. 1995] and [Hugenholtz & Pace 1996] for more information on these issues.

• What aspects of the biology of microorganisms might lead to their hyperdiversity?

• In how many groups of protists is photosynthesis found, and how does this influence their diversity?

• In what habitats might this undocumented microbial hyperdiversity be found? (see: [Copley 2002] for speculation on microbial biodiversity in marine environments.

Protist Diversity

Photosynthesis in eukaryotes is found in at least nine major taxa, and the great diversity in their shapes and life cycles may reflectresponse to predation, rather than competition [Smetacek 2000] .