Scientists have recognized the importance of microscopic eukaryotes in bio-geochemical cycles. These organisms have immense influence over biodiversity. Currently, their identification requires tools like quantitative PCR, FlowCL, and FlowSort, etcetera.
This paper reviews a study that made use of soil samples obtained from France and Antarctica. These were analyzed using Flow cytometry and Sanger-Pyrosequencing approaches. With this, the focus was to understand species richness in different environmental conditions.
Flow cytometry has gained ground due to its capacity to determine specific traits in organisms in real-time. This method provides a non-targeted approach towards studying different eukaryotic species, and thus aids in biodiversity estimations.
Sanger and Pyrosequencing are sequencing methods that elucidate the genetic characteristics of organisms. These are detailed processes and take a comparatively more sophisticated approach in understanding the complexity and diversity in the microscopic eukaryotic world.
The Study UndertakenThe research was highly systematic. Three varying soils were chosen for comparison purposes. They encompassed a grassland soil (Rennes), a cultivated soil (Versailles), and an Antarctic soil (Adélie Land).
The picked samples underwent extreme care to prevent any contamination. The samples were thoroughly cleaned with ultra-pure water and sieved to obtain the best possible specimens for the study.
Further, the samples were treated and set up for flow cytometry procedure. The careful and detailed process undertaken assured accuracy in obtaining the data.
The cytometry outputs were analyzed for biomass, cell concentration, and proxy for size. The eDNA was extracted from these samples and underwent further analysis involving traditional Sanger Sequencing and Pyrosequencing.
The results varied across the three different soils. The cultivated soil from Versailles showed a much greater eukaryotic diversity over the grassland soil from Rennes.
Antarctic soil demonstrated a significantly low level of diversity. It was concluded that eukaryotic diversity is highly dependent on the soil’s organic content and its climatic conditions.
Within the eukaryotic community, dominant organisms such as fungi, amoebozoa, stramenopiles, and rhizaria also showed diversity on the soils types. Major diversity was seen in stramenopiles, amoebozoa, and rhizaria in all three soil types.
It was found that the biomass in Versailles soil was composed mainly of dominant organisms, with a high contribution from Fungi. This was quite different in Rennes Soil, as Stramenopiles were found to be dominant.
The Contextual Importance of the StudyIt is worth noting the significant role that these tiny organisms play in our world and how essential it is to explore their diversity. Detailed studies like these furnish us with a better understanding of the minute biological world.
Our understanding of soil microorganisms is still limited. Regular studies not only help fill the gap but also offer better ways and tools to analyze these organisms.
The study focuses on a nondiscriminatory approach towards understanding these organisms. By employing a non-targeted approach, we truly encompass the characteristic diversity of the microscopic world.
As we understand the importance of each soil type’s unique biodiversity, we can better inform conservation efforts. We can also further comprehend how to maintain and fortify soil biodiversity.
The Pertinence of Future ResearchThere is a lot more to explore regarding environmental DNA (eDNA) from soil. The research conducted unveils just a tiny fraction of this seemingly infinite world.
Future research can bring more regions into focus, each with its unique soil type and climatic conditions. This will help in deepening the understanding of microscopic biodiversity.
The innovation of new tools and techniques is equally important. As science and technology progress, the exploration of the microscopic world will evolve and provide even more detailed insights.
Ultimately, an understanding of the microscopic world helps us to better understand and appreciate the macro world. Therefore, it is critical that we continue these studies truthfully.