Marine bacteria and archaea are key players in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, carbon, and other elements. One important lineage of marine bacteria is the Roseobacter clade. Members of this clade are the most abundant bacteria in marine ecosystems constituting up to 25% of the marine bacterioplankton. They have been detected in various marine habitats from coastal regions to deep-sea sediments and from polar regions to tropical latitudes. These bacteria are physiologically and genetically very versatile. Utilization of several organic and inorganic compounds, sulfur oxidation, aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis, carbon monoxide oxidation, DMSP demethylation, and production of secondary metabolites are some of the important functional traits found in this clade.
Moreover, several isolates are available allowing in-depth analysis of physiological and genetic characteristics. Although the Roseobacter clade has been intensively studied in recent years, our understanding of its ecological contributions and the evolutionary processes shaping the genomes of this clade is still rather limited. Hence, we encourage marine biologists around the world that work on this fascinating marine clade to contribute their work to this Research Topic.

With this Research Topic, we seek to understand the molecular ecology and genetic diversity of the Roseobacter clade and its success in the marine environment. As this can only be achieved by gathering information from different perspectives, we welcome all contributions that advance our understanding of the molecular ecology and genetic/genomic diversity of the Roseobacter clade.

Keywords: Molecular Ecology, Roseobacter clade

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.