Syntrophic linkage between predatory Carpediemonas and specific prokaryotic populations

Area of Science:

• Microbial ecology
• Marine biology
• Symbiotic interactions

Background:

• Anoxic environments host small heterotrophic eukaryotes that prey on microbes.
• Interactions between predatory eukaryotes and other microbes are poorly understood.
• Carpediemonas frisia, an anaerobic marine flagellate, was studied with its associated microbiome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate beneficial interactions between predatory eukaryotes and their associated microbial communities.
• To understand the role of Carpediemonas frisia in its microbiome.
• To elucidate the mechanisms driving symbiotic relationships in anoxic settings.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of Carpediemonas frisia with its natural microbiome.
• Genome and transcriptome-informed metabolic network modeling.
• Physiological experiments to assess symbiotic benefits.

Main Results:

• Carpediemonas stimulated prokaryotic growth by releasing predigested biomolecules.
• Metabolic network modeling revealed niche separation and metabolite exchange among prokaryotes.
• Multispecies aggregates facilitated efficient metabolite exchange and prey availability for Carpediemonas.

Conclusions:

• Predatory eukaryotes can engage in beneficial interactions with prokaryotes, forming symbiotic relationships.
• These interactions involve nutrient exchange and niche partitioning within microbial communities.
• The study provides a framework for understanding trophic interactions in anoxic environments.