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Gregarious cyanobacteria
Lucas J Stal1,2
1NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry, Utrecht University, Den Burg, P.O.Box 59, The Netherlands.
Environmental Microbiology
|April 4, 2017
Summary
Freshwater picocyanobacteria exhibit phenotypic plasticity, appearing as single cells or aggregates. While inducible defense against grazers is proposed, aggregation offers other survival advantages for these microbes.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Phycology
- Microbial Ecology
Background:
- Freshwater picocyanobacteria display phenotypic plasticity, observed as both single cells and aggregates.
- Aggregation has been previously documented in eukaryotic phytoplankton and the cyanobacterium Microcystis.
- The potential for inducible defense against grazers in picocyanobacteria remains largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the phenomenon of aggregation in freshwater picocyanobacteria.
- To critically assess the hypothesis that aggregation serves as an inducible defense mechanism against grazers.
- To highlight the ecological advantages of aggregation for cyanobacteria compared to a solitary lifestyle.
Main Methods:
- Observational studies on freshwater picocyanobacteria populations.
- Comparative analysis of aggregation in different cyanobacterial groups.
- Theoretical assessment of ecological benefits associated with microbial aggregation.
Main Results:
- Picocyanobacteria were observed to exist as both single cells and in aggregate forms.
- The proposed inducible defense against grazers as the sole explanation for aggregation is questioned.
- Aggregation presents numerous ecological advantages for cyanobacteria beyond predator avoidance.
Conclusions:
- While inducible defense is a possibility, aggregation in freshwater picocyanobacteria likely serves multiple adaptive functions.
- The advantages of aggregation, such as nutrient acquisition and protection, are significant for cyanobacterial survival.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the drivers and benefits of picocyanobacterial aggregation.