Researchers from the University of Vienna have discovered that many gut bacterial species are more complex than previously thought, containing several evolutionarily distinct populations adapted to different conditions within the human gut. Using a strategy called ‘reverse ecology,’ the team analyzed thousands of bacterial isolates and metagenomic data from diverse populations, identifying genetic signatures of adaptation to specific ecological niches. These findings, published in Nature, suggest that considering evolutionary adaptation can reveal biologically relevant units in the microbiome more accurately, potentially aiding in the identification of precise microbiome biomarkers and targeted treatments. Read more at ScienceDaily