Examples of microbes of the new CSP1-3 phylum were found in soil samples taken from a depth of 20 meters in both Iowa and China
A new category of microbial life forms was discovered in the so -called critical area of the Earth, the “skin” near the planet’s surface, which extends from the treetops to the rocky bed. The authors of the discovery gave the new phylum the name of CSP1-3.
A team of researchers discovered a form of the so far unknown microbe that represents a new phylum – An important taxonomic category, immediately below the kingdom, in the classification of life on earth.
The discovery was conducted in the course of a study led by James TiedjeMicrobiologist at the Michigan State University (MSU), which exploited a part of the little known but vital global ecosystem: the so -called Critical Zone of the Earth.
“The critical zone extends from the treetops to the ground, to depths up to 200 meters,” explains Tiedje in a MSU.
“This area supports most of your life on the planetSince it regulates essential processes such as soil formation, water cycle and nutrient cycle, which are vital for food production, water quality and ecosystem health, ”adds the researcher.
“Despite its importance, the deep critical zone It is a new borderbecause it is an important part of the land that is relatively unexplored“Said Tiedje, who recalls A phrase from Leonardo da Vinci: “We know more about the movement of the celestial bodies than about the ground we have under our feet.”
Tiedje and his team gave the group of microbes so far unknown the designation of CSP1-3.
A Importance of the discovery became clear when soil samples taken from a depth of 20 meters Both in Iowa and China – Despite its geographical distance – contained CSP1-3 microbes.
The presence of these organisms in similar soil environments similar at distant geographical points enhances their surprising global distributionnotice the investigators.
In analyzing the DNA extracted from the ground, the researchers found that the new Filo CSP1-3 probably evolved from aquatic organisms who lived in thermal sources and freshwater environments for millions of years.
Over time, these microbes adapted to new environments – Starting with surface soils and eventually colonizing deeper layers. The team also determined that The CSP1-3 are not numb.
“Most people I would think that these organisms are like spores or they are numb, ”he said.“ But One of the main findings that we did through the DNA exam is that These microbes are active and grow slowly”.
Unlike expected, CSP1-3 are not rare, but dominantconstituting more than half of the microbial population in the deep layers of the soil.
“I believe this happened because Deep soil is a very different environment And this group of organisms has evolved for a long period of time to adapt to this environment of impoverished soil, ”says Tiedje.
According to researchers, these microbes also play an important role in Purification of earth water. As the water descends from the surface, passing through the roots of the plants and entering the deepest layers of the soil, the CSP1-3 consume carbon and nitrogen compoundsacting as a final filter in the process of natural purification.
“The CSP1-3 are the necrophages that clean what happened through the superficial layer of the soil, ”said Tiedje.” They have a job to do. “
The discovery was presented in a published last week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
