Lake Mendota in Wisconsin transforms as the seasons change, becoming covered with ice in the winter and algae in the summer.. In a new study, scientists examined a lake and discovered an organism stuck in evolutionary loops due to cyclical climate shifts, writes Science Alert.

The new study was conducted by a team from the University of Texas at Austin.. For the study, scientists analyzed 471 samples of lake microbes collected over two decades and then examined genetic changes within and between species over time..

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Data has shown that thousands of bacterial species evolve over generations and then return to nearly identical states as the seasons change.. Since microbes actually only live for a few days, we are talking about genetic evolution crossing thousands of generations in a single year.

According to study co-author Brett Baker, a marine scientist at the University of Texas at Austin, these cycles were repeated year after year.. Of the 2,855 bacterial genomes studied, cyclical seasonal changes were found in 80% of them. The study authors also note that their findings actually revolutionize our understanding of how microbial communities change over time.. Moreover, scientists believe that the new data will also reveal a lot about microbial ecology and evolution in nature..

The scientists' analysis showed that as environmental conditions changed, different strains of bacteria were able to thrive and eventually became dominant, strengthening the position of other strains as the seasons changed.. About 20% of the species studied also showed a more consistent pattern of genetic change that spans decades.

This behavior was especially noticeable in 2012, when the lake experienced a hotter and drier summer.. The study authors noticed a significant shift in the genes that control bacterial nitrogen metabolism during that period.. This is thought to be due to lower levels of nitrogen-producing algae.

The team also used a supercomputer, which helped them speed up the process significantly.. Scientists collected metagenomes from each water sample, allowing them to scrutinize the DNA genetic sequences of DNA fragments over time.

According to co-author of the study, microbiologist Robin Rover from the University of Texas, the results of his and his colleagues' work show that ecology and evolution likely go hand in hand, rather than operating separately.. The study authors also note that this is an important discovery, especially when it comes to studying the Earth, which continues to warm up..

Knowing which strains of bacteria will dominate helps scientists understand how much carbon lakes can sequester and how aquatic food chains may be affected by adaptation to warmer seasons. This knowledge is especially important in the face of climate change, which is gradually shifting seasons and changing average temperatures, as well as causing extreme weather events.

Previously, Focus wrote that scientists believe that evolution is not as random as thought.