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Watershed unit is conductive to uncover microbial biogeography
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  • Xiao-Yan Yang,
  • wei Deng,
  • Fa Zhang,
  • Shuoran Liu,
  • Davide Fornacca,
  • Na Li,
  • Yanpeng Li,
  • Xi-Jie Fan,
  • xin Zhang,
  • Li-Lei Liu,
  • Ya-Jiao Zhu,
  • Kun Tan,
  • Yin Gao,
  • Wen Xiao,
  • Qinghua Cai
Xiao-Yan Yang
Dali University
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wei Deng
Dali University
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Fa Zhang
Dali University
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Shuoran Liu
Dali University
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Davide Fornacca
Dali University
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Na Li
Dali University
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Yanpeng Li
Dali University
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Xi-Jie Fan
Dali University
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xin Zhang
Dali University
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Li-Lei Liu
Dali University
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Ya-Jiao Zhu
Dali University
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Kun Tan
Dali University
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Yin Gao
Dali University
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Wen Xiao
Dali University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Qinghua Cai
Institute of Hydrobiology Chinese Academy of Sciences
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Abstract

Biogeography is flawed by a poor understanding of microbial distribution, due to the lack of systematical research framework, especially appropriate study units. We studied the biogeographic patterns of Nematode-Trapping Fungi by collecting and analyzing 2,250 specimens from 228 sites in Yunnan Province, China. We found typical watershed patterns both at the level of species and gene of Nematode-Trapping Fungi. The results showed that microbial biogeography could be better understood by 1) using watersheds as research units, 2) removing the coverup of widespread species, and 3) applying good sampling efforts and strategies. We suggest that watersheds could help unify the understanding of biogeographic patterns of animal, plant, and microbe, and may also help account for the historical and contemporary factors driving species distribution.