Marine microbial symbiosis

Microbial symbiosis in marine animals was not discovered until 1981.[1] In the time following, symbiotic relationships between marine invertebrates and chemoautotrophic bacteria have been found in a variety of ecosystems, ranging from shallow coastal waters to deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The type of marine animal vary greatly, for example, sponges, sea squirts, corals, worms, and algae all host a variety of unique symbionts.[2] Each symbiotic relationship displays a unique ecological niche, which in turn can lead to entirely new species of host species and symbiont.[3]

It is particularly interesting that it took so long to discover the marine microbial symbiosis because nearly every surface submerged in the oceans becomes covered with biofilm,[4] including a large number of living organisms. Many marine organisms display symbiotic relationships with microbes. Epibiotic bacteria have been found to live on crustacean larvae and protect them from fungal infections.[5] Other microbes in deep-sea vents have been found to prevent the settlement of barnacles and tunicate larvae.[6]

The most notable display of marine symbiotic relationship would be coral. Coral reefs are home to a variety of dinoflagellate symbiont,[7] these symbionts give coral its bright coloring and are vital for the survival of the reef. The symbionts provide the coral with food in exchange for protection. If the waters warm or become too acidic, the symbionts are expelled, the coral bleaches and if conditions persist the coral will die. This in turn leads to the collapse of the entire reef ecosystem.[8]

Microbial biotechnology

Marine invertebrates are the hosts of a wide spectrum of bioactive metabolites, which have vast potential as drugs and research tools.[9] In many cases, microbes aid in or are responsible for marine invertebrates natural products.[10] Certain marine microbes can provide insight into the biosynthesis mechanisms of natural products, which in turn could solve the current limitations on marine drug development.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Cavanaugh, Colleen (1994). "Microbial Symbiosis: Patterns of Diversity in the Marine Environment" (PDF). Integr Comp Biol Integrative and Comparative Biology. 34 (1): 79–89. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  2. ↑ Li, Zhiyong (2009). "Advances in Marine Microbial Symbionts in the China Sea and Related Pharmaceutical Metabolites". Marine Drugs. 7 (2): 113–129. doi:10.3390/md7020113. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  3. ↑ Cavanaugh, Colleen (1994). "Microbial Symbiosis: Patterns of Diversity in the Marine Environment" (PDF). Integr Comp Biol Integrative and Comparative Biology. 34 (1): 79–89. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  4. ↑ Armstrong, Evelyn; Yan, Liming; Boyd, Kenneth; Phillip, Wright; Burgess, J (2001). "The symbiotic role of marine microbes on living surfaces". Hydrobiologia. 461 (1-3): 37–40. doi:10.1023/A:1012756913566.
  5. ↑ Armstrong, Evelyn; Yan, Liming; Boyd, Kenneth; Phillip, Wright; Burgess, J (2001). "The symbiotic role of marine microbes on living surfaces". Hydrobiologia. 461 (1-3): 37–40. doi:10.1023/A:1012756913566.
  6. ↑ Armstrong, Evelyn; Yan, Liming; Boyd, Kenneth; Phillip, Wright; Burgess, J (2001). "The symbiotic role of marine microbes on living surfaces". Hydrobiologia. 461 (1-3): 37–40. doi:10.1023/A:1012756913566.
  7. ↑ Baker, Andrew (200). "Flexibility and Specificity in Coral-Algal Symbiosis: Diversity, Ecology, and Biogeography of Symbiodinium". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 34: 661–689. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.34.011802.132417. JSTOR 30033790.
  8. ↑ Baker, Andrew (200). "Flexibility and Specificity in Coral-Algal Symbiosis: Diversity, Ecology, and Biogeography of Symbiodinium". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 34: 661–689. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.34.011802.132417. JSTOR 30033790.
  9. ↑ Haygood, Margo; Schmidt, Eric; Davidson, Seana; Faulkner, John (1999). "Microbial Symbionts of Marine Invertebrates: Opportunities for Microbial Biotechnology" (PDF). Biotechnol. 1 (1): 33–43. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  10. ↑ Haygood, Margo; Schmidt, Eric; Davidson, Seana; Faulkner, John (1999). "Microbial Symbionts of Marine Invertebrates: Opportunities for Microbial Biotechnology" (PDF). Biotechnol. 1 (1): 33–43. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  11. ↑ Li, Zhiyong (2009). "Advances in Marine Microbial Symbionts in the China Sea and Related Pharmaceutical Metabolites". Marine Drugs. 7 (2): 113–129. doi:10.3390/md7020113. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
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