Castillo, Diego J.Dithugoe, Choaro D.Bezuidt, Keoagile Ignatius OliverMakhalanyane, Thulani Peter2023-03-312022-11Diego J. Castillo, Choaro D. Dithugoe, Oliver K. Bezuidt, Thulani P. Makhalanyane, Microbial ecology of the Southern Ocean, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Volume 98, Issue 11, November 2022, fiac123, https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiac123.0168-6496 (print)1574-6941 (online)10.1093/femsec/fiac123http://hdl.handle.net/2263/90313The Southern Ocean (SO) distributes climate signals and nutrients worldwide, playing a pivotal role in global carbon sequestration. Microbial communities are essential mediators of primary productivity and carbon sequestration, yet we lack a comprehensive understanding of microbial diversity and functionality in the SO. Here, we examine contemporary studies in this unique polar system, focusing on prokaryotic communities and their relationships with other trophic levels (i.e. phytoplankton and viruses). Strong seasonal variations and the characteristic features of this ocean are directly linked to community composition and ecosystem functions. Specifically, we discuss characteristics of SO microbial communities and emphasise differences from the Arctic Ocean microbiome. We highlight the importance of abundant bacteria in recycling photosynthetically derived organic matter. These heterotrophs appear to control carbon flux to higher trophic levels when light and iron availability favour primary production in spring and summer. Conversely, during winter, evidence suggests that chemolithoautotrophs contribute to prokaryotic production in Antarctic waters. We conclude by reviewing the effects of climate change on marine microbiota in the SO.en© 2022 Oxford University Press. This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in FEMS Microbiology Ecology following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is : Title, FEMS Microbiology Ecology, vol. 98, no. 11, 2022. doi : 10.1093/femsec/fiac123, is available online at : https://academic.oup.com/femsec.ArchaeaBacteriaBiogeochemical cyclingMicrobial ecologyPhytoplanktonSouthern OceanVirusesPostprint Article