Microbial predators form a new supergroup of eukaryotes

Denis V. Tikhonenkov (), Kirill V. Mikhailov, Ryan M. R. Gawryluk, Artem O. Belyaev, Varsha Mathur, Sergey A. Karpov, Dmitry G. Zagumyonnyi, Anastasia S. Borodina, Kristina I. Prokina, Alexander P. Mylnikov, Vladimir V. Aleoshin and Patrick J. Keeling
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Denis V. Tikhonenkov: Russian Academy of Sciences
Kirill V. Mikhailov: Lomonosov Moscow State University
Ryan M. R. Gawryluk: University of Victoria
Artem O. Belyaev: Russian Academy of Sciences
Varsha Mathur: University of British Columbia
Sergey A. Karpov: Russian Academy of Sciences
Dmitry G. Zagumyonnyi: Russian Academy of Sciences
Anastasia S. Borodina: Russian Academy of Sciences
Kristina I. Prokina: Russian Academy of Sciences
Alexander P. Mylnikov: Russian Academy of Sciences
Vladimir V. Aleoshin: Lomonosov Moscow State University
Patrick J. Keeling: University of British Columbia

Nature, 2022, vol. 612, issue 7941, 714-719

Abstract: Abstract Molecular phylogenetics of microbial eukaryotes has reshaped the tree of life by establishing broad taxonomic divisions, termed supergroups, that supersede the traditional kingdoms of animals, fungi and plants, and encompass a much greater breadth of eukaryotic diversity1. The vast majority of newly discovered species fall into a small number of known supergroups. Recently, however, a handful of species with no clear relationship to other supergroups have been described2–4, raising questions about the nature and degree of undiscovered diversity, and exposing the limitations of strictly molecular-based exploration. Here we report ten previously undescribed strains of microbial predators isolated through culture that collectively form a diverse new supergroup of eukaryotes, termed Provora. The Provora supergroup is genetically, morphologically and behaviourally distinct from other eukaryotes, and comprises two divergent clades of predators—Nebulidia and Nibbleridia—that are superficially similar to each other, but differ fundamentally in ultrastructure, behaviour and gene content. These predators are globally distributed in marine and freshwater environments, but are numerically rare and have consequently been overlooked by molecular-diversity surveys. In the age of high-throughput analyses, investigation of eukaryotic diversity through culture remains indispensable for the discovery of rare but ecologically and evolutionarily important eukaryotes.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05511-5

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