Experimental testing of hypotheses for temperature‐ and pH‐based niche specialization of ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria

摘要: Investigation of niche specialisation in microbial communities is important assessing consequences environmental change for ecosystem processes. Ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA) present a convenient model studying specialisation. They coexist most soils effects soil characteristics on their relative abundances has been studied extensively. This study integrated published information the influence temperature pH AOB AOA into several hypotheses, generating predictions that were tested microcosms. The perturbations determined 4.5, 6 7.5 investigated at 15, 25 35°C. AO activities by analysing changes amoA gene transcript abundances, stable isotope probing nitrate production. Experimental data supported major pH, but with significant discrepancies, some which may have resulted from experimental limitations. also provided evidence unpredicted activity 4.5 soil. Other discrepancies highlighted deficiencies current knowledge, particularly lack consideration overlap need to consider combinations factors when activities. article protected copyright. All rights reserved.