Microbial eukaryotes (protist) are abundant, diverse and widespread organisms that are ecologically important. Autotrophs are among the primary producers of organic matter in aquatic and soils systems, while heterotrophic ones play a key role as major links to higher trophic levels.
Combining morphological identification with environmental DNA analyses has revealed a vast diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms. However, studies have shown that a great part of the extant microbial diversity remains undocumented. In particular, metabarcoding has provided powerful approaches that reveal novel and uncultivated lineages in diverse ecosystems. Ecological functions of some of these novel taxa may be responsible for critical environmental processes in certain habitats. This new diversity also challenges our understanding of the evolutionary relationships of eukaryotes. It is therefore imperative to understand the importance of this diversity in the eukaryotic tree of life.
To better characterize microbial eukaryote diversity, morphological classification, cultivation using classical or innovative approaches, together with molecular techniques in biodiversity assessment are essential.
In this Research Topic we call on researchers to report new discoveries of protists, their evolution, as well as new species found in diverse environments, to complete the tree of life. The aim is to describe the diversity and evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms through several study techniques in different natural ecosystems such as soil and aquatic environments.
Attention will be given to several topics such as:
• Review of common eukaryotic microorganisms.
• Description of the main methods of studying eukaryotic diversity in different environmental ecosystems such as soils and aquatic systems.
• Analysis of their importance through different case studies.
Keywords:
eukaryotes, eukaryotic diversity, microorganisms, tree of life
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Microbial eukaryotes (protist) are abundant, diverse and widespread organisms that are ecologically important. Autotrophs are among the primary producers of organic matter in aquatic and soils systems, while heterotrophic ones play a key role as major links to higher trophic levels.
Combining morphological identification with environmental DNA analyses has revealed a vast diversity of eukaryotic microorganisms. However, studies have shown that a great part of the extant microbial diversity remains undocumented. In particular, metabarcoding has provided powerful approaches that reveal novel and uncultivated lineages in diverse ecosystems. Ecological functions of some of these novel taxa may be responsible for critical environmental processes in certain habitats. This new diversity also challenges our understanding of the evolutionary relationships of eukaryotes. It is therefore imperative to understand the importance of this diversity in the eukaryotic tree of life.
To better characterize microbial eukaryote diversity, morphological classification, cultivation using classical or innovative approaches, together with molecular techniques in biodiversity assessment are essential.
In this Research Topic we call on researchers to report new discoveries of protists, their evolution, as well as new species found in diverse environments, to complete the tree of life. The aim is to describe the diversity and evolution of eukaryotic microorganisms through several study techniques in different natural ecosystems such as soil and aquatic environments.
Attention will be given to several topics such as:
• Review of common eukaryotic microorganisms.
• Description of the main methods of studying eukaryotic diversity in different environmental ecosystems such as soils and aquatic systems.
• Analysis of their importance through different case studies.
Keywords:
eukaryotes, eukaryotic diversity, microorganisms, tree of life
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.