SAR202 bacteria genomes

SAR202 is a group of Chloroflexota bacteria that are diverse and abundant in the ocean. SAR202 bacteria contain unique genomic features for degrading and transforming complex organic molecules, particularly for recalcitrant organic compounds (RDOM). Earlier studies have suggested that SAR202 bacteria are active and could play an important role in carbon cycling in the dark ocean. Metagenomics has recovered more SAR202 genomes from the deep ocean than the surface ocean due to their relatively high abundance in the deep water. This resulted in a less systematic understanding of SAR202 bacteria in the euphotic zone, in terms of their distribution, diversity, and genomic characteristics.