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Diatom derived polyunsaturated aldehydes do not structure the planktonic microbial community in a mesocosm study
Carsten Paul1, Anna Reunamo2, Elin Lindehoff3,4
1Department for Bioorganic Analytics, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, 07743 Jena, Germany.
Marine Drugs
|June 13, 2012
Summary
Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUA) from diatoms do not influence bacterial or viral communities in marine environments. Other factors drive unique bacterial dynamics during algal blooms, suggesting PUA are not key mediators of diatom-bacteria interactions.
Area of Science:
- Marine Ecology
- Microbial Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Diatoms produce polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUA) during wound responses and algal blooms.
- PUA are hypothesized to mediate interactions between diatoms and bacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test if PUA mediate diatom-bacteria interactions in a mesocosm experiment.
- To investigate the influence of PUA on bacterial and viral abundance and community composition.
Main Methods:
- Mesocosm experiment using natural plankton communities.
- Enrichment with Skeletonema marinoi strains with varying PUA production.
- Addition of PUA at natural and elevated concentrations.
- Monitoring of bacterial and viral abundance and community composition.
Main Results:
- No influence of PUA on bacterial or viral abundance or community composition was observed, even at elevated concentrations.
- Bacterial diversity showed temporal changes.
- Distinct bacterial communities were associated with different S. marinoi strains.
- Algal blooms exhibited unique dynamic bacterial communities.
Conclusions:
- PUA do not appear to be significant mediators of diatom-bacteria interactions in natural plankton communities.
- Factors other than PUA regulate bacterial community dynamics during algal blooms.
- The results highlight the complexity of interactions within marine microbial communities.
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