Biobanking Media Affects the Microbiome Diversity of Kelp Gametophytes
Abstract Kelp canopy resilience is partly influenced by their microbial partners, yet the stability of these associations in biobank-stored germplasm is unknown. We investigated how storage duration and media composition drive changes in the microbiome of Macrocystis pyrifera gametophytes. Our data suggest a shift in microbiome composition, characterized by a decline in overall microbial biodiversity. Media type significantly modulated this effect, with L1 formulation better preserving a diverse community structure than F/2 formulation. Our work here indicates that biobanking practices inadvertently select for specific microbial consortia, with implications for the viability and physiological function of preserved kelp germplasm.
Authors
- Emily G. Aguirre (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4846-4109)
- Michael Marty-Rivera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3634-5452)
- Laura Rink (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0493-3628)
- Carissa Ojendis
- Jenifer Burney
Institutions
- Santa Monica College (US)
- California State University, Dominguez Hills (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Research Square
- Published
- 2026-11-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-11627704/v1
- Primary Topic
- Marine and coastal plant biology
- Type
- preprint
Funders
- Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife