1
|
Millette NC, Gast RJ, Luo JY, Moeller HV, Stamieszkin K, Andersen KH, Brownlee EF, Cohen NR, Duhamel S, Dutkiewicz S, Glibert PM, Johnson MD, Leles SG, Maloney AE, Mcmanus GB, Poulton N, Princiotta SD, Sanders RW, Wilken S. Mixoplankton and mixotrophy: future research priorities. JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH 2023; 45:576-596. [PMID: 37483910 PMCID: PMC10361813 DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Phago-mixotrophy, the combination of photoautotrophy and phagotrophy in mixoplankton, organisms that can combine both trophic strategies, have gained increasing attention over the past decade. It is now recognized that a substantial number of protistan plankton species engage in phago-mixotrophy to obtain nutrients for growth and reproduction under a range of environmental conditions. Unfortunately, our current understanding of mixoplankton in aquatic systems significantly lags behind our understanding of zooplankton and phytoplankton, limiting our ability to fully comprehend the role of mixoplankton (and phago-mixotrophy) in the plankton food web and biogeochemical cycling. Here, we put forward five research directions that we believe will lead to major advancement in the field: (i) evolution: understanding mixotrophy in the context of the evolutionary transition from phagotrophy to photoautotrophy; (ii) traits and trade-offs: identifying the key traits and trade-offs constraining mixotrophic metabolisms; (iii) biogeography: large-scale patterns of mixoplankton distribution; (iv) biogeochemistry and trophic transfer: understanding mixoplankton as conduits of nutrients and energy; and (v) in situ methods: improving the identification of in situ mixoplankton and their phago-mixotrophic activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca J Gast
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Jessica Y Luo
- NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, 201 Forrestal Rd., Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - Holly V Moeller
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 1120 Noble Hall, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Karen Stamieszkin
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA
| | - Ken H Andersen
- Center for Ocean Life, Natl. Inst. of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, Bygning 202, Kongens Lyngby 2840, Denmark
| | - Emily F Brownlee
- Department of Biology, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, 18952 E. Fisher Road, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686, USA
| | - Natalie R Cohen
- Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, University of Georgia, 10 Ocean Science Circle, Savannah, GA 31411, USA
| | - Solange Duhamel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The University of Arizona, 1007 E Lowell Street, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Stephanie Dutkiewicz
- Center for Global Change Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02874, USA
| | - Patricia M Glibert
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, 2020 Horns Point Rd, Cambridge, MD 21613, USA
| | - Matthew D Johnson
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 266 Woods Hole Rd, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Suzana G Leles
- Department of Marine and Environmental Biology, University of Southern California, 3616 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ashley E Maloney
- Geosciences Department, Princeton University, Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - George B Mcmanus
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, 1080 Shennecossett Rd., Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Nicole Poulton
- Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, 60 Bigelow Dr., East Boothbay, ME 04544, USA
| | - Sarah D Princiotta
- Biology Department, Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill Campus, 200 University Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972, USA
| | - Robert W Sanders
- Department of Biology, Temple University, 1900 N. 12th St., Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Susanne Wilken
- Department of Freshwater and Marine Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, Amsterdam, 1098 XH, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Weithoff G, Bell EM. Complex Trophic Interactions in an Acidophilic Microbial Community. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10071340. [PMID: 35889059 PMCID: PMC9321944 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10071340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Extreme habitats often harbor specific communities that differ substantially from non-extreme habitats. In many cases, these communities are characterized by archaea, bacteria and protists, whereas the number of species of metazoa and higher plants is relatively low. In extremely acidic habitats, mostly prokaryotes and protists thrive, and only very few metazoa thrive, for example, rotifers. Since many studies have investigated the physiology and ecology of individual species, there is still a gap in research on direct, trophic interactions among extremophiles. To fill this gap, we experimentally studied the trophic interactions between a predatory protist (Actinophrys sol, Heliozoa) and its prey, the rotifers Elosa woralli and Cephalodella sp., the ciliate Urosomoida sp. and the mixotrophic protist Chlamydomonas acidophila (a green phytoflagellate, Chlorophyta). We found substantial predation pressure on all animal prey. High densities of Chlamydomonas acidophila reduced the predation impact on the rotifers by interfering with the feeding behaviour of A. sol. These trophic relations represent a natural case of intraguild predation, with Chlamydomonas acidophila being the common prey and the rotifers/ciliate and A. sol being the intraguild prey and predator, respectively. We further studied this intraguild predation along a resource gradient using Cephalodella sp. as the intraguild prey. The interactions among the three species led to an increase in relative rotifer abundance with increasing resource (Chlamydomonas) densities. By applying a series of laboratory experiments, we revealed the complexity of trophic interactions within a natural extremophilic community.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guntram Weithoff
- Department Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, University of Potsdam, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Biodiversity Research, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence:
| | - Elanor M. Bell
- Department Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, University of Potsdam, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
- Australian Antarctic Division, Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS 7054, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Effects of Nutritional Mode on the Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of the Mixotrophic Flagellate Poterioochromonas malhamensis and the Potential Ecological Implications. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10050852. [PMID: 35630297 PMCID: PMC9147812 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10050852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mixotrophic flagellates play an important role in connecting the classical food chain and microbial food loop. The feeding characteristics of the mixotrophic flagellate Poterioochromonasmalhamensis have been well studied, but its role as a food source for other large zooplankton is less studied. This study focuses on the physiological and biochemical changes in P. malhamensis when using autotrophy, chemoheterotrophy, and phagotrophy, and the effect of these changes on the feeding ability of one of its predators, the ciliate Paramecium caudatum. The results showed that chemoheterotrophic P. malhamensis had a higher growth rate and larger cell size than autotrophic and phagotrophic P. malhamensis. The biochemical composition of P. malhamensis also varied greatly between the three nutritional modes. The protein, total absolute amino acid, and fucoxanthin contents were highest for autotrophic P. malhamensis, while chemoheterotrophic P. malhamensis had the highest contents of total sugar and total absolute fatty acid. The contents of most biochemical components in phagotrophic P. malhamensis fell between those in autotrophic and chemoheterotrophic P. malhamensis. A feeding experiment showed that the grazing ability of P. caudatum on chemoheterotrophic P. malhamensis was significantly higher than that on phagotrophic P. malhamensis and autotrophic P. malhamensis. This study showed that the transformation of nutritional modes can alter the biochemical composition of the mixotrophic flagellate P. malhamensis and, as a result, affect the grazing ability of its predator P. caudatum.
Collapse
|
4
|
Isanta-Navarro J, Arnott SE, Klauschies T, Martin-Creuzburg D. Dietary lipid quality mediates salt tolerance of a freshwater keystone herbivore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 769:144657. [PMID: 33493914 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Salinization of freshwater ecosystems is a growing hazard for organisms and ecosystem functioning worldwide. In northern latitudes, road salt that is being transported into water bodies can cause year-round increases in lake salinity levels. Exploring the environmental factors driving the susceptibility of freshwater zooplankton to road salt is crucial for assessing the impact of salinization on food web processes. We studied the role of essential lipids, i.e., sterols and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in mediating salt tolerance of the freshwater keystone herbivore Daphnia. Sterols and PUFAs are involved in regulating ion permeability of biological membranes and thus we hypothesized that the susceptibility to salt is affected by the dietary sterol and PUFA supply. Life history experiments revealed opposing effects of sterol and PUFA supplementation on salt tolerance, i.e., tolerance increased upon sterol supplementation but decreased upon PUFA supplementation, which is consistent with their proposed impact on membrane permeability. Our results suggest that the susceptibility of freshwater zooplankton to salinization strongly depends on the dietary lipid supply and thus the phytoplankton community composition. Hence, trophic state related differences in the phytoplankton community composition need to be considered when assessing the consequences of salinization for freshwater ecosystem functioning.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jana Isanta-Navarro
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Mainaustrasse 252, 78464 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - Shelley E Arnott
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, 116 Barrie Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3J9, Canada.
| | - Toni Klauschies
- Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Maulbeerallee 2, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
| | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Temperature-dependent life history and transcriptomic responses in heat-tolerant versus heat-sensitive Brachionus rotifers. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13281. [PMID: 32764662 PMCID: PMC7411042 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70173-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Thermal stress response is an essential physiological trait that determines occurrence and temporal succession in nature, including response to climate change. We compared temperature-related demography in closely related heat-tolerant and heat-sensitive Brachionus rotifer species. We found significant differences in heat response, with the heat-sensitive species adopting a strategy of long survival and low population growth, while the heat-tolerant followed the opposite strategy. In both species, we examined the genetic basis of physiological variation by comparing gene expression across increasing temperatures. Comparative transcriptomic analyses identified shared and opposing responses to heat. Interestingly, expression of heat shock proteins (hsps) was strikingly different in the two species and mirrored differences in population growth rates, showing that hsp genes are likely a key component of a species' adaptation to different temperatures. Temperature induction caused opposing patterns of expression in further functional categories including energy, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and in genes related to ribosomal proteins. In the heat-sensitive species, elevated temperatures caused up-regulation of genes related to meiosis induction and post-translational histone modifications. This work demonstrates the sweeping reorganizations of biological functions that accompany temperature adaptation in these two species and reveals potential molecular mechanisms that might be activated for adaptation to global warming.
Collapse
|
6
|
Bengfort M, van Velzen E, Gaedke U. Slight phenotypic variation in predators and prey causes complex predator-prey oscillations. ECOLOGICAL COMPLEXITY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecocom.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
7
|
Assessment of potential zooplankton control treatments for wastewater treatment High Rate Algal Ponds. ALGAL RES 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.algal.2017.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
|
8
|
Diovisalvi N, M. Rennella A, Zagarese HE. Rotifer dynamics in three shallow lakes from the Salado river watershed (Argentina): the potential modulating role of incident solar radiation. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2015; 14:2007-13. [DOI: 10.1039/c5pp00125k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A schematic representation of the seasonal cycle of rotifer in L. Chascomús. In this figure the relative abundances of the three dominant rotifer species are expressed as fractions of the estimated clear-sky mean daily incident solar radiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Diovisalvi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH)
- Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
- Chascomús
- Argentina
| | - Armando M. Rennella
- Sistemas de Producción Acuática. Facultad de Agronomía
- Universidad de Buenos Aires
- (1417) Buenos Aires
- Argentina
| | - Horacio E. Zagarese
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas-Instituto Tecnológico de Chascomús (IIB-INTECH)
- Universidad Nacional de San Martín (UNSAM) – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
- Chascomús
- Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Weisse T, Laufenstein N, Weithoff G. Multiple environmental stressors confine the ecological niche of the rotifer Cephalodella acidophila. FRESHWATER BIOLOGY 2013; 58:1008-1015. [PMID: 23704795 PMCID: PMC3659023 DOI: 10.1111/fwb.12104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/28/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
The planktonic food web in extremely acidic mining lakes is restricted to a few species that are either acidophilic or acidotolerant. Common metazoans inhabiting acidic mining lakes with a pH below 3 include rotifers in the genera Cephalodella and Elosa. The life history response of Cephalodella acidophila to three environmental key factors, pH (2, 3.5, 5.0 and 7.0), temperature (10, 17.5 and 25 °C) and food concentration (10 000, 35 000 and 50 000 algal cells per mL), was investigated in a full factorial design using life-table experiments. The effect of each of the three environmental variables investigated on the rotifer life cycle parameters (life span, fecundity and population growth rate) differed. C. acidophila is a stenoecious species with a pH optimum in the range 3-4 and a comparably high food threshold. Combining the laboratory results with field data, we conclude that C. acidophila is severely growth limited in its natural habitat. However, low pH alone is not harmful as long as temperatures are moderate to warm and food is abundant. The population of C. acidophila in the field is maintained mainly due to release from competitors and predators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Weisse
- Research Institute for Limnology of the University of InnsbruckMondsee, Austria
| | - Nicole Laufenstein
- Institute for Limnology of the Austrian Academy of SciencesMondsee, Austria
| | - Guntram Weithoff
- Department of Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, University of PotsdamPotsdam, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Wacker A, Martin-Creuzburg D. Biochemical nutrient requirements of the rotiferBrachionus calyciflorus: co-limitation by sterols and amino acids. Funct Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02047.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wacker
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology; University of Potsdam; Am Neuen Palais 10; 14469; Potsdam; Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Interactions between P-limitation and different C conditions on the fatty acid composition of an extremophile microalga. Extremophiles 2011; 15:597-609. [DOI: 10.1007/s00792-011-0390-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
12
|
Weithoff G, Moser M, Kamjunke N, Gaedke U, Weisse T. Lake morphometry and wind exposure may shape the plankton community structure in acidic mining lakes. LIMNOLOGICA (ONLINE) 2010; 40:161-166. [PMID: 23225914 PMCID: PMC3512575 DOI: 10.1016/j.limno.2009.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Acidic mining lakes (pH <3) are specific habitats exhibiting particular chemical and biological characteristics. The species richness is low and mixotrophy and omnivory are common features of the plankton food web in such lakes. The plankton community structure of mining lakes of different morphometry and mixing type but similar chemical characteristics (Lake 130, Germany and Lake Langau, Austria) was investigated. The focus was laid on the species composition, the trophic relationship between the phago-mixotrophic flagellate Ochromonas sp. and bacteria and the formation of a deep chlorophyll maximum along a vertical pH-gradient. The shallow wind-exposed Lake 130 exhibited a higher species richness than Lake Langau. This increase in species richness was made up mainly by mero-planktic species, suggesting a strong benthic/littoral - pelagic coupling. Based on the field data from both lakes, a nonlinear, negative relation between bacteria and Ochromonas biomass was found, suggesting that at an Ochromonas biomass below 50 μg C L(-1), the grazing pressure on bacteria is low and with increasing Ochromonas biomass bacteria decline. Furthermore, in Lake Langau, a prominent deep chlorophyll maximum was found with chlorophyll concentrations ca. 50 times higher than in the epilimnion which was build up by the euglenophyte Lepocinclis sp. We conclude that lake morphometry, and specific abiotic characteristics such as mixing behaviour influence the community structure in these mining lakes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guntram Weithoff
- University of Potsdam, Insitute for Biochemistry & Biology, Dept. of Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, Am Neuen Palais 10, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 331 977 1949; fax: +49 331 977 1948.
| | - Michael Moser
- Institute for Limnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, A-5310 Mondsee, Austria
| | - Norbert Kamjunke
- University of Potsdam, Insitute for Biochemistry & Biology, Dept. of Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, Am Neuen Palais 10, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Ursula Gaedke
- University of Potsdam, Insitute for Biochemistry & Biology, Dept. of Ecology and Ecosystem Modelling, Am Neuen Palais 10, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Thomas Weisse
- Institute for Limnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, A-5310 Mondsee, Austria
| |
Collapse
|