Recurrent association between Trichodesmium colonies and calcifying amoebae.

ABSTRACT: Colonies of the N₂-fixing cyanobacterium Trichodesmium spp. constitute a consortium with multiple microorganisms that collectively exert ecosystem-level influence on marine carbon and nitrogen cycling, shunting newly fixed nitrogen to low nitrogen systems, and exporting both carbon and nitrogen to the deep sea. Here we identify a seasonally recurrent association between puff colonies and amoebae through a two-year survey involving over 10 000 Trichodesmium colonies in the Red Sea. This association was most commonly found in near-shore populations during spring. Microscopic observations revealed consistent amoebae morphology throughout the study, and both morphological characteristics and 18S rRNA gene sequencing suggested that these amoebae are likely to belong to

SUBMITTER: Zhang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11575492 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature