Response of a methane-driven interaction network to stressor intensification

authored by

Adrian Ho, Lucas W Mendes, Hyo Jung Lee, Thomas Kaupper, Yongliang Mo, Anja Poehlein, Paul L E Bodelier, Zhongjun Jia, Marcus A Horn

Abstract

Microorganisms may reciprocally select for specific interacting partners, forming a network with interdependent relationships. The methanotrophic interaction network, comprising methanotrophs and non-methanotrophs, is thought to modulate methane oxidation and give rise to emergent properties beneficial for the methanotrophs. Therefore, microbial interaction may become relevant for community functioning under stress. However, empirical validation of the role and stressor-induced response of the interaction network remains scarce. Here, we determined the response of a complex methane-driven interaction network to a stepwise increase in NH4Cl-induced stress (0.5-4.75 g L-1, in 0.25-0.5 g L-1 increments) using enrichment of a naturally occurring complex community derived from a paddy soil in laboratory-scale incubations. Although ammonium and intermediates of ammonium oxidation are known to inhibit methane oxidation, methanotrophic activity was unexpectedly detected even in incubations with high ammonium levels, albeit rates were significantly reduced. Sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA and pmoA genes consistently revealed divergent communities in the reference and stressed incubations. The 16S rRNA-based co-occurrence network analysis revealed that NH4Cl-induced stress intensification resulted in a less complex and modular network, likely driven by less stable interaction. Interestingly, the non-methanotrophs formed the key nodes, and appear to be relevant members of the community. Overall, stressor intensification unravels the interaction network, with adverse consequences for community functioning.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Microbiology

External Organisation(s)

Universidade de Sao Paulo
Kunsan National University
Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences
Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW)
University of Göttingen

Type

Article

Journal

FEMS microbiology ecology

Volume

96

ISSN

0168-6496

Publication date

10.2020

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Microbiology, Ecology, Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiaa180 (Access: Closed)