Seems like the relationship between corals and bacteria are becoming a hot subject in the scientific world and a lot of publications on this are coming out every week. This week, we came across a recent paper describing the dynamic biological relationship between corals and marine bacteria in the journalNature.
TheAquarickettsia细菌是新鉴定的属的第一个成员,并在研究期间被发现加勒比staghorn珊瑚microbiome by Oregon State University (OSU) molecular biologist Rebecca Vega Thurber and her colleagues.
Using sophisticated computer programs and search algorithms to query the databases and map genetic associations, the researchers discovered that the newly named bacterium,念珠菌Aquarickettsia rohweri—as well as other closely related members of the newfound genus,念珠菌Aquarickettsia—are commonly found in the microbiomes of sponges, corals, and other aquatic organisms worldwide.
“我们希望人们带走的主要事情是该细菌是寄生虫. We know that it causes the coral to无法成长, but only under specific conditions,” Vega Thurber says.
在低水平,加利福尼亚州。A. Rohweri似乎是无害的,但是当它在营养丰富的环境(例如肥料污染的水)中增殖时,可口会受到损害。寄生虫从珊瑚中窃取能量。分析表明,该细菌携带一个基因TLC1,它使其可以抢劫三磷酸腺苷(ATP)的珊瑚细胞,即它们的基本能源。
Vega Thurber thinks the parasites kill corals in one of two ways: “They directly sap the coral of its nutrition and resources; or alternatively, make it susceptible to additional pathogens.” Whether the bacterium kills the coral on its own or compromises its immunity to other diseases, it’s clear that Ca. A. rohweri, when found in abundance, is a deadly threat.
This new finding and the techniques used, open a new door toward understanding the complex relationship between, microbes and corals, and the very thin line between mutualistic symbiosis and parasitism. Hopefully it will help understand what is killing corals along the Florida coast.
This is a scientific evidence that a slight shift of parameters can bring dramatic consequences, as we often experience it in our reef tanks.