Interesting read about how the earth and its biota work.

>>The fact that bacteria can share genes with each other is fascinating and a little alarming – after all, that’s how they’re developing resistance to antibiotics so quickly. It’s easy to assume that the bugs need to be in close proximity to teach each other, but unfortunately that might not be the case. A new genetic study of bacteria from around the world has found that isolated populations share incredibly similar “molecular memories,” suggesting they’re basically flying around the world to spread their genes.

When bacteria are infected by viruses known as bacteriophages, they snip small segments of DNA from their attackers and store them, in order to remember how best to resist them in future. These snippets can be passed down to later generations, allowing the microbes to rapidly evolve to cope with new environments and threats.<<

>>“Our research suggests that there must be a planet-wide mechanism that ensures the exchange of bacteria between faraway places,” says Severinov. “Because the bacteria we study live in very hot water – about 160° F (71° C) – in remote places, it is not feasible to imagine that animals, birds or humans transport them. They must be transported by air and this movement must be very extensive so bacteria in isolated places share common characteristics.”<<

https://newatlas.com/bacteria-share-genes-flying/59013/

PermeateFree said:

Interesting read about how the earth and its biota work.

>>The fact that bacteria can share genes with each other is fascinating and a little alarming – after all, that’s how they’re developing resistance to antibiotics so quickly. It’s easy to assume that the bugs need to be in close proximity to teach each other, but unfortunately that might not be the case. A new genetic study of bacteria from around the world has found that isolated populations share incredibly similar “molecular memories,” suggesting they’re basically flying around the world to spread their genes.

When bacteria are infected by viruses known as bacteriophages, they snip small segments of DNA from their attackers and store them, in order to remember how best to resist them in future. These snippets can be passed down to later generations, allowing the microbes to rapidly evolve to cope with new environments and threats.<<

>>“Our research suggests that there must be a planet-wide mechanism that ensures the exchange of bacteria between faraway places,” says Severinov. “Because the bacteria we study live in very hot water – about 160° F (71° C) – in remote places, it is not feasible to imagine that animals, birds or humans transport them. They must be transported by air and this movement must be very extensive so bacteria in isolated places share common characteristics.”<<

https://newatlas.com/bacteria-share-genes-flying/59013/

>>“Our research suggests that there must be a planet-wide mechanism that ensures the exchange of bacteria between faraway places,” says Severinov. “Because the bacteria we study live in very hot water – about 160° F (71° C) – in remote places, it is not feasible to imagine that animals, birds or humans transport them. They must be transported by air and this movement must be very extensive so bacteria in isolated places share common characteristics.”<<

I’ll agree with that. Bactria living deep underground have been shown to be the same species almost halfway around the world from each other. This is about the only way that this can happen.