Antigenic similarities among estuarine soft-bottom benthic taxa

Antisera prepared against whole-organism extracts of benthic invertebrates from Puget Sound, Washington, and North Inlet, South Carolina, were tested for specificity with extracts from both coasts. Immunological similarities among taxa reflected conventional phylogenetic relationships both within each of these areas and also between both areas. Antisera also cross-reacted with extracts to a lesser degree at higher taxonomic levels. The existence of common antigens among phylogenetically related taxa makes feasible the use of serological methods to document trophic interactions in environments where it is difficult to obtain sufficient material to serve as immunogen for production of highly specific antisera. Deep-sea or other high diversity food webs may be investigated using serological methods that are already well-developed for use in terrestrial and shallow-water environments.