Over 800,000 microbial genomes from seawater across 48 reefs in the Great Barrier Reef have been mapped in a new study published in Nature.
The research identified hundreds of new bacterial species and over 300,000 viruses.
Methodology
Scientists used advanced long-read DNA sequencing to analyze samples. The team recovered full chromosomes from key microalgae that produce oxygen and support the reef's food chain.
Database Creation
The findings have been assembled into the Great Barrier Reef Microbial Genomes Database, intended to monitor reef health and complement existing long-term monitoring programs.