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Lonnstedt OM, McCormick MI, Chivers DP. Well-informed foraging: damage-released chemical cues of injured prey signal quality and size to predators. Oecologia 2011; 168:651-8. [PMID: 21947496 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-2116-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Predators use a variety of information sources to locate potential prey, and likewise prey animals use numerous sources of information to detect and avoid becoming the meal of a potential predator. In freshwater environments, chemosensory cues often play a crucial role in such predator/prey interactions. The importance of chemosensory information to teleost fish in marine environments is not well understood. Here, we tested whether coral reef fish predators are attracted to damage-released chemical cues from already wounded prey in order to find patches of prey and minimize their own costs of obtaining food. Furthermore, we tested if these chemical cues would convey information about status of the prey. Using y-maze experiments, we found that predatory dottybacks, Pseudochromis fuscus, were more attracted to skin extracts of damselfish, Pomacentrus amboinensis, prey that were in good condition compared to prey in poor body condition. Moreover, in both the laboratory and field, we found that predators could differentiate between skin extracts from prey based on prey size, showing a greater attraction to extracts made from prey that were the appropriate size to consume. This suggests that predators are not attracted to any general substance released from an injured prey fish instead being capable of detecting and distinguishing relatively small differences in the chemical composition of the skin of their prey. These results have implications for understanding predator foraging strategies and highlights that chemical cues play a complex role in predator-prey interactions in marine fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oona M Lonnstedt
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia.
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52
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Nevitt GA. The Neuroecology of Dimethyl Sulfide: A Global-Climate Regulator Turned Marine Infochemical. Integr Comp Biol 2011; 51:819-25. [DOI: 10.1093/icb/icr093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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53
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Kicklighter CE, Kamio M, Nguyen L, Germann MW, Derby CD. Mycosporine-like amino acids are multifunctional molecules in sea hares and their marine community. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:11494-9. [PMID: 21709250 PMCID: PMC3136258 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1103906108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecules of keystone significance are relatively rare, yet mediate a variety of interactions between organisms. They influence the distribution and abundance of species, the transfer of energy across multiple trophic levels, and thus they play significant roles in structuring ecosystems. Despite their potential importance in facilitating our understanding of ecological systems, only three molecules thus far have been proposed as molecules of keystone significance: saxitoxin and dimethyl sulfide in marine communities and tetrodotoxin in riparian communities. In the course of studying the neuroecology of chemical defenses, we identified three mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs)--N-ethanol palythine (= asterina-330), N-isopropanol palythine (= aplysiapalythine A), and N-ethyl palythine (= aplysiapalythine B)--as intraspecific alarm cues for sea hares (Aplysia californica). These alarm cues are released in the ink secretion of sea hares and cause avoidance behaviors in neighboring conspecifics. Further, we show that these three bioactive MAAs, two [aplysiapalythine A (APA) and -B (APB)] being previously unknown molecules, are present in the algal diet of sea hares and are concentrated in their defensive secretion as well as in their skin. MAAs are known to be produced by algae, fungi, and cyanobacteria and are acquired by many aquatic animals through trophic interactions. MAAs are widely used as sunscreens, among other uses, but sea hares modify their function to serve a previously undocumented role, as intraspecific chemical cues. Our findings highlight the multifunctionality of MAAs and their role in ecological connectivity, suggesting that they may function as molecules of keystone significance in marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia E. Kicklighter
- Neuroscience Institute
- Department of Biology, and
- Department of Biology, Goucher College, Baltimore, MD 21204; and
| | - Michiya Kamio
- Neuroscience Institute
- Department of Biology, and
- Department of Ocean Sciences, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8477, Japan
| | - Linh Nguyen
- Neuroscience Institute
- Department of Biology, and
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
| | - Markus W. Germann
- Neuroscience Institute
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303
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54
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Curson ARJ, Sullivan MJ, Todd JD, Johnston AWB. DddY, a periplasmic dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase found in taxonomically diverse species of Proteobacteria. ISME JOURNAL 2011; 5:1191-200. [PMID: 21248856 DOI: 10.1038/ismej.2010.203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The abundant compatible solute dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is made by many marine algae. Different marine bacteria catabolise DMSP by various mechanisms, some of which liberate the environmentally important gas dimethyl sulfide (DMS). We describe an enzyme, DddY, which cleaves DMSP into DMS plus acrylate and is located in the bacterial periplasm, unlike other DMSP lyases that catalyse this reaction. There are dddY-like genes in strains of Alcaligenes, Arcobacter and Shewanella, in the β-, ɛ- and γ-proteobacteria, respectively. In Alcaligenes, dddY is in a cluster of ddd and acu genes that resemble, but also have significant differences to, those in other bacteria that catabolise both DMSP and acrylate. Although production of DMS and transcription of Alcaligenes dddY are both apparently inducible by pre-growth of cells with DMSP, this substrate must be catabolised to form acrylate, the bona fide coinducer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R J Curson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
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55
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Paul VJ, Ritson-Williams R, Sharp K. Marine chemical ecology in benthic environments. Nat Prod Rep 2010; 28:345-87. [PMID: 21125086 DOI: 10.1039/c0np00040j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J Paul
- Smithsonian Marine Station, Smithsonian Institution, Fort Pierce, Florida, USA.
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56
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Foraging behaviour and brain morphology in recently emerged brook charr, Salvelinus fontinalis. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-010-1002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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57
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Kirkwood M, Le Brun NE, Todd JD, Johnston AWB. The dddP gene of Roseovarius nubinhibens encodes a novel lyase that cleaves dimethylsulfoniopropionate into acrylate plus dimethyl sulfide. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2010; 156:1900-1906. [PMID: 20378650 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.038927-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The cloned dddP gene of the marine bacterium Roseovarius nubinhibens allows Escherichia coli to form the volatile dimethyl sulfide (DMS) from dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), an abundant anti-stress compatible solute made by many marine plankton and macroalgae. Using purified DddP, we show here that this enzyme is a DMSP lyase that cleaves DMSP to DMS plus acrylate. DddP forms a functional homodimeric enzyme, has a pH optimum of 6.0 and was a K(m) of approximately 14 mM for the DMSP substrate. DddP belongs to the M24B family of peptidases, some members of which have metal cofactors. However, the metal chelators EDTA and bipyridyl did not affect DddP activity in vitro and the as-isolated enzyme did not contain metal ions. Thus, DddP resembles those members of the M24B family, such as creatinase, which also act on a non-peptide substrate and have no metal cofactor. Site-directed mutagenesis of the active-site region of DddP completely abolished its activity. Another enzyme, termed DddL, which occurs in other alphaproteobacteria, had also been shown to generate DMS plus acrylate from DMSP. However, DddL and DddP have no sequence similarity to each other, so DddP represents a second, wholly different class of DMSP lyase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Kirkwood
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Nick E Le Brun
- School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Jonathan D Todd
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Andrew W B Johnston
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK
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59
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Southwood A, Avens L. Physiological, behavioral, and ecological aspects of migration in reptiles. J Comp Physiol B 2010; 180:1-23. [PMID: 19847440 DOI: 10.1007/s00360-009-0415-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2009] [Revised: 09/25/2009] [Accepted: 09/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal movements between foraging, breeding, and overwintering sites occur in a wide variety of reptile species. Terrestrial snakes, lizards, and turtles migrate short distances (\20 km) between seasonal habitats, whereas fully aquatic marine turtles migrate hundreds to thousands of kilometers between foraging and breeding areas. The purpose of this article is to summarize aspects of migratory physiology and behavior in reptiles, particularly with regards to energetics and sensory mechanisms for navigation and orientation. We discuss the influence of aerobic scope, endurance, and cost of transport on migratory capacity, the effects of temperature and circulating hormones on activity and behavior, and mechanisms of detecting and transducing environmental cues to successfully navigate and orient toward a goal during migration. Topics worthy of further research are highlighted in the text, and we conclude with a discussion of how information on migration patterns of reptiles may be used to manage and conserve threatened populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Southwood
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA.
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60
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Conspecific cueing in the sea lamprey: do reproductive migrations consistently follow the most intense larval odour? Anim Behav 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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61
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Hay ME. Marine chemical ecology: chemical signals and cues structure marine populations, communities, and ecosystems. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2009; 1:193-212. [PMID: 21141035 PMCID: PMC3380104 DOI: 10.1146/annurev.marine.010908.163708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Chemical cues constitute much of the language of life in the sea. Our understanding of biotic interactions and their effects on marine ecosystems will advance more rapidly if this language is studied and understood. Here, I review how chemical cues regulate critical aspects of the behavior of marine organisms from bacteria to phytoplankton to benthic invertebrates and water column fishes. These chemically mediated interactions strongly affect population structure, community organization, and ecosystem function. Chemical cues determine foraging strategies, feeding choices, commensal associations, selection of mates and habitats, competitive interactions, and transfer of energy and nutrients within and among ecosystems. In numerous cases, the indirect effects of chemical signals on behavior have as much or more effect on community structure and function as the direct effects of consumers and pathogens. Chemical cues are critical for understanding marine systems, but their omnipresence and impact are inadequately recognized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark E Hay
- School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA.
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