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04:43
Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Adaptive divergence in pigment composition promotes phytoplankton biodiversity
Maayke Stomp1, Jef Huisman, Floris De Jongh
1Aquatic Microbiology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 127, 1018 WS Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Nature
|October 12, 2004
Summary
Phytoplankton diversity is explained by light spectrum partitioning. Different pigment compositions allow marine cyanobacteria species to coexist by efficiently utilizing light energy.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Photosynthesis research
- Ecology of phytoplankton
Background:
- Phytoplankton diversity has long puzzled biologists, with new discoveries continually expanding our understanding of marine phototrophic microorganisms.
- Physiological and genomic data suggest niche differentiation driven by natural selection, particularly concerning photosynthetic traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of pigment composition in light competition and coexistence among marine picocyanobacteria.
- To test the hypothesis that spectral light partitioning allows for stable coexistence of phytoplankton species.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of light competition between two closely related Synechococcus picocyanobacteria with different pigment compositions (phycoerythrin-rich and phycocyanin-rich).
- Theoretical modeling and experimental competition assays.
- Competition experiments with a third marine cyanobacterium capable of adaptive pigment changes.
Main Results:
- Stable coexistence of the two picocyanobacteria was observed, attributed to their partitioning of the light spectrum.
- The third cyanobacterium persisted by adapting its pigment composition to utilize wavelengths not absorbed by competitors.
- Divergence in pigment composition was shown to be adaptive, enabling efficient light energy utilization.
Conclusions:
- Pigment divergence in phototrophic microorganisms is a key factor driving species coexistence in marine environments.
- Spectral light partitioning allows phytoplankton to coexist by specializing in different light wavelengths.
- Efficient light energy utilization through specialized pigments enhances phytoplankton biodiversity.
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