Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2012
Keywords
deep biosphere, subsurface, evolution, C-DEBI, adaptation
Abstract
Since the days of Darwin, scientists have used the framework of the theory of evolution to explore the interconnectedness of life on Earth and adaptation of organisms to the ever-changing environment. The advent of molecular biology has advanced and accelerated the study of evolution by allowing direct examination of the genetic material that ultimately determines the phenotypes upon which selection acts. The study of evolution has been furthered through examination of microbial evolution, with large population numbers, short generation times, and easily extractable DNA. Such work has spawned the study of microbial biogeography, with the realization that concepts developed in population genetics may be applicable to microbial genomes (Martiny et al., 2006; Manhes and Velicer, 2011). Microbial biogeography and adaptation has been examined in many different environments. Here we argue that the deep biosphere is a unique environment for the study of evolution and list specific factors that can be considered and where the studies may be performed. This publication is the result of the NSF-funded Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI) theme team on Evolution (www.darkenergybiosphere.org).
Publication Title
Frontiers in Microbiology
Volume
2
Issue
285
DOI
10.3389/fmicb.2011.00285
Required Publisher's Statement
Copyright: © 2012 Biddle, Sylvan, Brazelton, Tully, Edwards, Moyer, Heidelberg and Nelson
Recommended Citation
Biddle, J. F., J. B. Sylvan, W. J. Brazelton, B. J. Tully, K. J. Edwards, C. L. Moyer, J. F. Heidelberg, and W. C. Nelson. 2012. Prospects for the study of evolution in the deep biosphere. Frontiers in Microbiol. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2011.00285.
Subjects - Topical (LCSH)
Biosphere--Research; Evolution--Research; Deep-sea biology; Marine Microbiology
Genre/Form
articles
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
