Genome-resolved biogeography of Phaeocystales, cosmopolitan bloom-forming algae

Zoltán Füssy, Robert H. Lampe, Kevin R. Arrigo, Kerrie Barry, Margaret M. Brisbin, Corina P. D. Brussaard, Johan Decelle, Colomban Vargas, Giacomo R. DiTullio, Liam D. H. Elbourne, Marc E. Frischer, David M. Goodstein, Igor V. Grigoriev, Richard D. Hayes, Adam L. Healey, Chase C. James, Jerry W. Jenkins, Caroline Juery, Manish Kumar, Adam B. Kustka, Florian Maumus, Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová, Miroslav Oborník, Ian T. Paulsen, Ian Probert, Mak A. Saito, Jeremy Schmutz, Tomáš Skalický, Diego Tec-Campos, Hannah Tomelka, Pavlína Věchtová, Pratap Venepally, Brendan Wilson-Mortier, Karsten Zengler, Hong Zheng and Andrew E. Allen ()
Additional contact information
Zoltán Füssy: University of California San Diego
Robert H. Lampe: University of California San Diego
Kevin R. Arrigo: Department of Earth System Science
Kerrie Barry: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Margaret M. Brisbin: University of South Florida
Corina P. D. Brussaard: NIOZ – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Johan Decelle: Université Grenoble Alpes
Colomban Vargas: CNRS / Sorbonne Université
Giacomo R. DiTullio: College of Charleston
Liam D. H. Elbourne: Macquarie University
Marc E. Frischer: University of Georgia
David M. Goodstein: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Igor V. Grigoriev: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Richard D. Hayes: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Adam L. Healey: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Chase C. James: University of Southern California
Jerry W. Jenkins: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Caroline Juery: Université Grenoble Alpes
Manish Kumar: University of California San Diego
Adam B. Kustka: Rutgers University – Newark
Florian Maumus: URGI
Anna M. G. Novák Vanclová: CNRS
Miroslav Oborník: University of South Bohemia
Ian T. Paulsen: Macquarie University
Ian Probert: CNRS / Sorbonne Université
Mak A. Saito: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Jeremy Schmutz: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Tomáš Skalický: Institute of Parasitology
Diego Tec-Campos: University of California San Diego
Hannah Tomelka: URGI
Pavlína Věchtová: University of South Bohemia
Pratap Venepally: University of California San Diego
Brendan Wilson-Mortier: Macquarie University
Karsten Zengler: University of California San Diego
Hong Zheng: J. Craig Venter Institute
Andrew E. Allen: University of California San Diego

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-18

Abstract: Abstract Phaeocystales, comprising the genus Phaeocystis and an uncharacterized sister lineage, are nanoplanktonic haptophytes widespread in the global ocean. Several species form mucilaginous colonies and influence key biogeochemical cycles, yet their underlying diversity and ecological strategies remain underexplored. Here, we present new genomic data from 13 strains, including three high-quality reference genomes (N50 > 30 kbp), and integrate previous metagenome-assembled genomes to resolve a robust phylogeny. Divergence timing of P. antarctica aligns with Miocene cooling and Southern Ocean isolation. Genomic traits reveal metabolic flexibility, including mixotrophic nitrogen acquisition in temperate waters and gene expansions linked to polar nutrient adaptation. Concordantly, transcriptomic comparisons between temperate and polar Phaeocystis suggest Southern Ocean populations experience iron and B12 limitation. We also identify signatures of horizontal gene transfer and endogenous giant virus/virophage insertions. Together, these findings highlight Phaeocystales as an ecologically versatile and geographically widespread lineage shaped by evolutionary innovation and adaptation to contrasting environmental stressors.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63565-1

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