Microbial Bioactives
Microbial Bioactives | Online ISSN 2209-2161
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Volume 5 Number 2 2022
REVIEWS (Open Access)
Thermal Frontiers: Synthesizing Microbial Diversity, Function, and Evolution in Hot Spring Ecosystems
Mohammad Moniruzzaman 1,2*, Md. Mahmuduzzaman Mian 3*
Microbial Bioactives 5 (2) 1-8 https://doi.org/10.25163/microbbioacts.5210706
Submitted: 11 August 2022 Revised: 01 October 2022 Accepted: 09 October 2022 Published: 11 October 2022
Abstract
Hot springs are extreme ecosystems where life thrives under high temperatures, unique geochemistries, and evolutionary constraints. These habitats serve as natural laboratories for studying microbial diversity, adaptation, and ecosystem functioning. Historically, microbial research in hot springs relied on culture-dependent methods, which captured only a small fraction of extant microbial diversity. The advent of molecular approaches, particularly 16S rRNA gene sequencing, metagenomics, and single-cell genomics, has revealed unprecedented diversity, including previously unknown archaeal and bacterial lineages. Comparative analyses across global hot springs indicate that microbial community composition is influenced not only by temperature but also by pH, mineral content, and geographical isolation. Functional gene analyses show metabolic versatility, including thermophilic phototrophy, heterotrophy, and chemolithotrophy, emphasizing the ecological roles of these microbes. Viral and mobile genetic elements further shape community dynamics and drive genomic innovation. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that hot springs are evolutionary crucibles where microbes exhibit remarkable physiological and genetic adaptations. Understanding these communities provides insights into the limits of life on Earth, potential biotechnological applications, and analogs for extraterrestrial habitats. This systematic synthesis integrates ecological, functional, and evolutionary perspectives to highlight the complexity, resilience, and innovation inherent in thermal microbial ecosystems.
Keywords: Hot springs, Thermophiles, Microbial diversity, Metagenomics, 16S rRNA, Functional genes, Evolutionary adaptation, Extreme environments
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