Cuatro Cienegas Lagunita Fertilization Experiement. CuatroCienegasWGS

Applying a trait-based framework to metagenomics data from a replicated nutrient enrichment experiment in a highly oligotrophic pond in Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico, we investigated the role of universal genomic traits involved in the informational underpinnings of metabolism in mediating community responses to altered growth and trophic conditions. Taxa that dominate under nutrient-enriched conditions had increased capacities for information processing (such as translation) and catabolism, including augmented genome size, optimization of codons (codon usage bias), and numbers of tRNA and rRNA genes, whereas those found in oligotrophic conditions had genomic traits reducing costs for information storage and processing, such as favoring nucleobases adenine and thymine over guanine and cytosine (lower GC content). These results highlight how all different components of metabolism—information, energy, and material requirements and transformations—must be fine-tuned to the growth and trophic strategy of organisms.