What is so special about marine microorganisms? Introduction to the marine microbiome-from diversity to biotechnological potential

Abstract

Marine microscopic life varies from single-celled organisms, simple multicellular, to symbiotic microorganisms encompassing all three domains of life: Bacteria, Archaea and Eukarya as well as biologically active entities such as viruses and viroids. Together they form the Ocean’s “microbiome”. Over billions of years of evolution this microbiome developed a plethora of adaptations and lifestyles and participates in the fluxes of virtually all chemical elements. The importance of the marine microbiome for human society and for the functioning of our living planet is not disputed. In this introductory chapter we bring to your attention some of the most important features of the marine microbiome and try to answer the question what distinguishes it from other microbial systems. Our main goal is to urge the reader to find more information about the taxonomic and functional diversity by exploring the specific chapters.