Cultivation and genomic characterisation of novel methanogens from a desert biocrust
Methanogens are strictly anaerobic archaea capable of energy conservation by methane production, yet their presence in oxic and arid environments challenges existing paradigms. In this study, we enriched and genomically characterised seven methanogenic cultures from desert biocrusts, affiliated with the genera Methanobacterium, Methanosarcina, and Methanocella. Six of these new cultures represent new species. Nonetheless, phylogenomic analyses revealed close genetic relationships with organisms from anoxic environments, indicating the absence of an evolutionary distinction. Comparative genomics exposed diverse though non-unique repertories of antioxidant (e.g. catalase, superoxide dismutase and desulfoferrodoxin), and desiccation-resistance genes (including genes for maintaining osmotic pressure and repair of cell wall and membrane), with Methanobacterium spp. possessing the lowest gene abundance and diversity for oxygen and desiccation tolerance. Nevertheless, the occurrence of a Class I methanogen such as Methanobacterium in arid soils challenges the notion that members of this class are less oxygen tolerant than Class II. Pangenome analysis further uncovered unique genes enriched in membrane-associated functions and potentially non-functional stress-related genes. Via a global metagenomic survey, we find that methanogens are underdetected in dryland soils, likely due to sequencing depth limitations. Our findings highlight previously overlooked methanogen diversity and ecological plasticity in oxic and desiccated habitats, and emphasise the need for further studies to elucidate their survival strategies.