Genomes of Novel Microbial Lineages Assembled from the Sub-Ice Waters of Lake Baikal

A metagenomic analysis of Lake Baikal's sub-ice waters revealed novel microbial lineages with small genomes, adapted to the lake's extreme oligotrophic and cold conditions. These microbes, distinct from those in other freshwater bodies, showed closest relationships to lineages found in similarly cold but brackish environments like the Baltic Sea. Notably, many contained rhodopsin genes, suggesting widespread photoheterotrophy despite limited light penetration due to ice cover. The study also identified a nonmarine Pelagibacter-like genome and a phage infecting Polynucleobacter, highlighting the unique microbial diversity of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cabello-Yeves, P. J., Zemskaya, T. I., Rosselli, R., Coutinho, F. H., Zakharenko, A. S., Blinov, V. V., & Rodriguez-Valera, F. (2018). Genomes of Novel Microbial Lineages Assembled from the Sub-Ice Waters of Lake Baikal. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 84(1). https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.02132-17