microbiology of brine pool. brine pool

Partial to near-complete genomes of 66 microbes were reconstructed, exemplified by Candidatus Marinimicrobia, Candidatus Cloacimonetes, and Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (MCG). Genomic analyses revealed a large number and diverse genes associated with polysaccharide fermentation and energy generation, including glycoside hydrolases, nitrate and sulfate reductases, putative bacterial microcompartment biosynthetic clusters (BMC), and F420H2 dehydrogenases. Unique genes and pathways, particularly polysaccharide breakdown and electron transfer were identified in several microbial groups. These features differentiated Marinimicrobia, Cloacimonetes and MCG members from previously reported relatives, suggesting metabolic plasticity and niche-associated evolution, which would be facilitated by horizontal gene transfer (HGT).