Unique Microbial Phylotypes in Namib Desert Dune and Gravel Plain Fairy Circle Soils

Fairy circles (FCs) in the Namib Desert, mysterious barren patches surrounded by grass, may be linked to microbial phytopathogenesis. A study analyzing soil samples from dune and gravel plain FCs using high-throughput sequencing revealed 67 unique microbial phylotypes—9 bacterial, 1 archaeal, and 57 fungal—that were exclusive to FC soils. These included taxa related to known phytopathogens, suggesting a potential role in FC formation or maintenance. While soil physicochemical properties influenced microbial community composition, none distinctly segregated FC from vegetated soils. This research provides novel evidence that microorganisms may drive the FC phenomenon, particularly in gravel plains, which had been understudied.

van der Walt, A. J., Johnson, R. M., Cowan, D. A., Seely, M., & Ramond, J.-B. (2016). Unique Microbial Phylotypes in Namib Desert Dune and Gravel Plain Fairy Circle Soils. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 82(15), 4592–4601. https://doi.org/10.1128/aem.00844-16