Long-term successional dynamics of microbial association networks in anaerobic digestion processes. (1st November 2016) - Wu, Linwei
Abstract: It is of great interest to elucidate underlying mechanisms to maintain stability of anaerobic digestion, an important process in waste treatment. By operating triplicate anaerobic digesters continuously for two years, we found that microbial community composition shifted over time despite stable process performance. Using an association network analysis to evaluate microbial interactions, we detected a clear successional pattern, which exhibited increasing modularity but decreasing connectivity among microbial populations. Phylogenetic diversity was the most important factor associated with network topology, showing positive correlations with modularity but negative correlations with network complexity, suggesting induced niche differentiation over time. Positive, but not negative, correlation strength was significantly related ( p < 0.05) to phylogeny. Furthermore, among populations exhibiting consistent positive correlations across networks, close phylogenetic linkages were evident (e.g. Clostridiales organisms). Clostridiales organisms were also identified as keystone populations in the networks (i.e., they had large effects on other species), suggestive of an important role in maintaining process stability. We conclude that microbial interaction dynamics of anaerobic digesters evolves over time during stable process performance. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Triplicate anaerobic digesters were operated continuously for two years. A successional pattern of microbial interactions was observed despite process stability. Clostridiales organisms were keystone populations in maintaining stable performance. Phylogeny could shape positive but not negative interactions among microorganisms.