Patterns of Diversity in Marine Phytoplankton

Abstract

Diversity Gradients Latitudinal gradients in species abundance, with relatively few occurring at the poles and many at the equator, are well known for macroorganisms. It is a matter of controversy, fueled by a lack of observational data, whether such gradients also occur among microorganisms. Barton et al. (p. 1509 , published online 25 February) have built on a global marine circulation model to predict the dynamics of phytoplankton populations. In silico, they obtain patterns of latitudinal gradation for plankton that are interspersed with hotspots of amplified diversity, which point to plausible natural explanations for the phenomenon that can be tested in the future by systematic metagenomic surveys.