Molecular progresses of marine Planctomycetes : A review

The Planctomycetes are an important group of marine bacteria, which may play critical roles in biogenic elements cycling in the ocean. Although, ecological and physiological studies on Planctomycetes are limited for their few isolates, applications of molecular approaches to environmental samples have provided great information for the understanding of their functions. Here, we summarized recent progresses onPlanctomycetes in their genomics, diversity and abundance, as well as related microbial ecological processes including anammox and mineral encrustation. We also proposedsome potential carbon cycling pathways involving the Planctomycetes and some future focuses in related molecular ecological studies.   Key words: Marine, Planctomycetes, molecular ecology, anammox, carbon cycle.