Diversity and metabolism of JTB255

The present study aimed at a first characterization of the enigmatic JTB255 marine benthic group in deep-sea sediments, by: i) confirming the abundance and ubiquitous distribution of JTB255 in deep-sea sediments globally, ii) refining the phylogenetic positioning of the JTB255 clade within the u03b3-Proteobacteria, iii) distinguishing potential ecotypes within the JTB255 clade, iv) providing first insights into the metabolic potential of deep-sea representatives of this clade. Therefore, two single cell genomes from Arctic HAUSGARTEN deep-se surface sediments were obtained and CARD-FISH counts of total cells, y-Proteobacteria and the JTB255 marine benthic group performed. The work is part of the ERC Advanced Investigator Grant ABYSS (no. 294757) to Antje Boetius.