Towards a trait-based understanding of Symbiodiniaceae nutrient acquisition strategies
Por:
Wong, Jane C. Y., Enriquez, Susana, Baker, David M.
Publicada:
1 abr 2021
Categoría:
Aquatic science
Resumen:
Symbiodiniaceae is a diverse group of dinoflagellates that form
symbioses with marine invertebrates, provisioning energy and nutrients
for their hosts. Symbiont diversity is a well-known predictor of host
fitness and stress tolerance. Yet, we have a limited understanding of
the mechanisms by which in hospite symbiont communities are structured.
Therefore, we hypothesized that phylogenetic differences in nitrogen
assimilation may affect symbiont dominance, as has been demonstrated in
phytoplankton communities. Here, we quantified species-specific rates of
nitrate assimilation using stable isotope labeling, and investigated key
traits that have been adopted in phytoplankton ecology to explain the
fundamental concept of nitrogen acquisition strategies and size-related
trade-offs in Symbiodiniaceae. Traits related to structure and function
were measured to look for convergent ecological strategies. Despite the
limited sample size, we could distinguish two groups among the five
species of Symbiodiniaceae with features described by the
phytoplankton's competition theories for resources: the affinity-adapted
species which were associated with larger size, higher nitrogen content
and nitrate affinity; and the velocity-adapted species which were small
size, efficient in maximum nitrate assimilation, specific carbon
assimilation rate, and growth. Our work supports the relevance of a
functional trait-based approach to describe Symbiodinaceae diversity.
The two contrasting nitrogen acquisition strategies identified may be
fundamental to explain the composition and dynamics of Symbiodinaceae in
hospite, stressing the importance of bottom-up mechanisms in shaping
symbiont composition.
Filiaciones:
Wong, Jane C. Y.:
Univ Hong Kong, Swire Inst Marine Sci, Cape Aguilar Rd, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
Univ Hong Kong, Sch Biol Sci, Kadoorie Biol Sci Bldg,Pok Fu Lam Rd, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
Enriquez, Susana:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Acad Unit Reef Syst Puerto Morelos, Inst Ciencias Mar & Limnol, Lab Photobiol, Apdo Postal 13, Cancun 77500, Mexico
Baker, David M.:
Univ Hong Kong, Swire Inst Marine Sci, Cape Aguilar Rd, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
Univ Hong Kong, Sch Biol Sci, Kadoorie Biol Sci Bldg,Pok Fu Lam Rd, Hong Kong, Peoples R China
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