Physiological potential of the “Atribacteria” lineage JS1 from single-cell genomes. unclassified Atribacterota

The deep sub-seafloor biosphere is one of the largest habitats on Earth and contains a large microbial biomass. In this challenging and extreme environment, microorganisms are thought to contribute to fundamental biogeochemical processes driving organic matter and mineral transformations, elemental cycles, oceanic crust weathering and methane hydrate formation. However, very little is known about the many novel bacterial groups present due to a lack of cultivated representatives. The recently proposed candidate phylum "Atribacteria" comprises the JS1 and OP9 lineages, members of which are widely distributed in anoxic habitats. On the basis of current data, the phylotypes designated JS1 constitute the majority of atribacterial sequences and are particularly abundant in deep subsurface sediments. Using next generation sequencing of single cell genomes we have investigated the metabolic diversity, physiology and ecology of JS1.