AXIOME3: Automation, eXtension, and Integration Of Microbial Ecology

Abstract Background Advances in high-throughput sequencing accessibility have democratized small subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequence data collection, coincident with an increasing availability of computational tools for sequence data processing, multivariate statistics, and data visualization. However, existing tools often require programming ability and frequent user intervention that may not be suitable for fast-paced and large-scale data analysis by end user microbiologists who are unfamiliar with the Linux command line environment or who prefer interactions with a GUI. Here we present AXIOME3, which is a completely redeveloped AXIOME pipeline that streamlines small subunit ribosomal RNA data analysis by managing QIIME2, R, and Python-associated analyses through an interactive web interface. Findings AXIOME3 comes with web GUI to improve usability by simplifying configuration processes and task status tracking. Internally, it uses an automated pipeline that is wrapped around QIIME2 to generate a range of outputs including amplicon sequence variant tables, taxonomic classifications, phylogenetic trees, biodiversity metrics, and ordinations. The extension module for AXIOME3 provides advanced data visualization tools such as principal coordinate analysis, bubble plots, and triplot ordinations that can be used to visualize interactions between a distance matrix, amplicon sequence variant taxonomy, and sample metadata. Conclusions Because repeat analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA amplicon sequence data is challenging for those who have limited experience in command line environments, AXIOME3 now offers rapid and user-friendly options within an automated pipeline, with advanced data visualization tools and the ability for users to incorporate additional analyses easily through extension. AXIOME3 is completely open source (https://github.com/neufeld/AXIOME3, https://github.com/neufeld/AXIOME3-GUI), and researchers are encouraged to modify and redistribute the package.

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Phylogenesis of pit-plug-associated features in the Rhodophyta: inferences from molecular systematic data

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b97-858 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 75 (9) ◽

pp. 1436-1447 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Gary W. Saunders ◽

J. Craig Bailey

Keyword(s):

Ribosomal Rna ◽

Sequence Data ◽

Algal Species ◽

Small Subunit ◽

Future Research ◽

Molecular Systematic ◽

Rna Sequences ◽

Small Subunit Ribosomal Rna ◽

Cap Layer ◽

Red Algal

Small-subunit ribosomal RNA sequence data are presented for Rhodogorgon carriebowensis Norris et Bucher (Rhodogorgonales, Rhodophyta) and Galaxaura marginata (Ellis et Solander) Lamouroux (Nemaliales, Rhodophyta). Data for these species were included in a matrix consisting of small-subunit ribosomal RNA sequences for 70 taxonomically diverse red algal species. Distance, parsimony, and maximum-likelihood analyses of these data all strongly support (100% of bootstrap replicates for distance and parsimony) a close alliance between the Rhodogorgonales and Corallinales. Our alignment includes 19 species representing six florideophyte orders (Acrochaetiales, Batrachospermales, Corallinales, Nemaliales, Palmariales, Rhodogorgonales) in which pit plugs are characterized by two cap layers. Distance and parsimony analyses resolve a monophyletic lineage including all "two-cap-layer" species. Our parsimony-derived molecular phylogeny was used to test a published hypothesis of pit-plug evolution. Four aspects of Pueschel's hypothesis are consistent with the results of our molecular systematic study: (i) "naked" plugs represent the ancestral type, (ii) outer cap layers are homologous structures, (iii) domed outer caps are ancestral to plate-like outer caps, and (iv) cap membranes are a derived feature within the two-cap-layer lineage. Directions for future research are discussed. Key words: Acrochaetiales, Batrachospermales, Corallinales, molecular systematics, Nemaliales, Palmariales, phylogeny, pit plug, Rhodogorgonales, Rhodophyta.

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