A tripartite model system for Southern Ocean diatom-bacterial interactions reveals the coexistence of competing symbiotic strategies.

ABSTRACT: Southern Ocean (SO) diatoms play an important role in global carbon flux, and their influence on carbon export is directly linked to interactions with epiphytic bacteria. Bacterial symbionts that increase diatom growth promote atmospheric carbon uptake, while bacterial degraders divert diatom biomass into the microbial loop where it can then be released as carbon dioxide through respiration. To further explore SO diatom-bacterial associations, a natural model system is needed that is representative of these diverse and important interactions. Here, we use concurrent cultivation to isolate a species of the ecologically-important SO diatom, Pseudo-nitzschia subcurvata, and its co-occurring bacteria. Although vitamin-depleted, axenic Pseudo-nitzschia grew poorly in culture, addition of a co-i

SUBMITTER: Andrew S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9723598 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature