Phototrophy improves the aerial fitness in a photoheterotrophic Methylobacterium isolated from clouds

Phototrophy improves the aerial fitness in a photoheterotrophic Methylobacterium isolated from clouds | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 31 March 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Phototrophy improves the aerial fitness in a photoheterotrophic Methylobacterium isolated from clouds Authors : Frédéric Mathonat 0009-0007-4203-024X [email protected] , Federico Mazzei , Marie Prévot , Virgina Vernocchi 0000-0001-5015-5009 , Elena Gatta , Muriel Joly 0000-0002-7060-9618 , Mariline Theveniot , Anne-Catherine Lehours , François Enault , Barbara Ervens 0000-0002-6223-1635 , and Pierre Amato 0000-0003-3168-0398 Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174342623.31590139/v1 482 views 177 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Surface ecosystems such as the phyllosphere host diverse microbial communities, a fraction of which may detach and remain aloft for up to several days. As airborne, bacteria are challenged by high exposure to oxidants and limited nutrients, and we postulate that specific biological trait such as phototrophy may support the maintenance of metabolic functions. Omics data reanalysis indicates the presence of the genetic biomarker of anoxygenic photosynthesis in the atmosphere and clouds. Using an atmospheric simulation chamber, we monitored proxies for viability and metabolic activity in airborne photoheterotrophic aerobic Methylobacterium sp. cells expressing or not photosynthetic capabilities (bacteriochlorophyll). We observe shorter airborne residence time in [Bchl+] cells than in [Bchl-] cells, and higher survival rate and potential for metabolic activity, in particular under light exposure. These results imply that aerial transport is not neutral, and can favor the maintenance and spread of biological traits often considered elsewhere as poorly competitive. Supplementary Material File (article_fm__ecology_letters.pdf) Download 888.57 KB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 31 March 2025 Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords aerial fitness anoxygenic photosynthesis atmosphere atmospheric simulation chamber bacteria methylobacterium sp. photoheterotrophy survival Authors Affiliations Frédéric Mathonat 0009-0007-4203-024X [email protected] Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Federico Mazzei University of Genoa View all articles by this author Marie Prévot Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Virgina Vernocchi 0000-0001-5015-5009 National Institute of Nuclear Physics Genoa Branch View all articles by this author Elena Gatta University of Genoa View all articles by this author Muriel Joly 0000-0002-7060-9618 Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Mariline Theveniot Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Anne-Catherine Lehours Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author François Enault Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Barbara Ervens 0000-0002-6223-1635 Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Pierre Amato 0000-0003-3168-0398 Université Clermont Auvergne View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 482 views 177 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Frédéric Mathonat, Federico Mazzei, Marie Prévot, et al. Phototrophy improves the aerial fitness in a photoheterotrophic Methylobacterium isolated from clouds. Authorea . 31 March 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.174342623.31590139/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); Cited by Frédéric Mathonat, François Enault, Raphaëlle Péguilhan, Muriel Joly, Mariline Théveniot, Jean-Luc Baray, Barbara Ervens, Pierre Amato, Bacterial contribution to nitrogen processing in the atmosphere, Biogeosciences, 23 , 8, (2885-2907), (2026). https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-2885-2026 Crossref Jungsoo Park, S. Jane Fowler, Airborne Bacterial Communities: Diversity, Survival Strategies and Functional Roles in the Atmosphere, Environmental Microbiology Reports, 18 , 1, (2026). https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-2229.70274 Crossref Loading... View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. 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