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Host specificity in diatom-bacteria interactions alleviates antagonistic effects
Willem Stock1, Lander Blommaert1, Marleen De Troch2
1Laboratory of Protistology and Aquatic Ecology, Biology Department, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
FEMS Microbiology Ecology
|October 25, 2019
Summary
Marine diatoms and bacteria interactions are often antagonistic, not beneficial. Specific bacterial isolates showed varied effects on diatom growth, suggesting coadaptation and indirect benefits from native bacteria against harmful ones.
Area of Science:
- Marine microbiology
- Phycology
- Diatom-bacteria interactions
Background:
- Microalgae form specific associations with bacteria, but the benefits of these relationships are not well understood.
- Marine benthic diatoms are known to associate with diverse bacterial communities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of bacterial isolates from marine benthic diatoms on the growth of Cylindrotheca closterium diatom strains.
- To determine if bacterial associations with diatoms are beneficial or detrimental.
Main Methods:
- Tested 35 bacterial isolates on one C. closterium strain.
- Evaluated 8 selected isolates on 6 C. closterium strains and 1 Cylindrotheca fusiformis strain.
- Assessed diatom growth in the presence of different bacterial isolates.
Main Results:
- Most bacterial-diatom interactions were neutral or antagonistic, challenging the notion of mutual benefit.
- Interactions were highly specific, varying significantly between different Cylindrotheca strains and species.
- Bacterial isolates from foreign diatom hosts reduced diatom growth, suggesting coadaptation.
- A native microbial inoculum alleviated the antagonistic effect of a Marinobacter strain.
Conclusions:
- Diatom-bacteria associations are not universally beneficial and can be antagonistic.
- Specificity in interactions suggests coadaptation between diatoms and their associated bacteria.
- Native microbial communities may indirectly benefit diatoms by inhibiting harmful bacteria.
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