Non‐toxic protection against epibiosis

Wahl, Martin; Kröger, Kerstin; Lenz, Mark

doi:10.1080/08927019809378355

Cited by 92 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…We hypothesize that the reason lies in the highly dynamic environment at the coral surface, where resident microbes contend for the best niches (Ritchie, 2006), mucus is periodically shed (Garren and Azam, 2012), surface cilia deter the attachment of fouling organisms (Wahl et al, 1998) and external flows on the order of millimeters per second sweep over the colony (Lesser et al, 1994). The residence time next to the surface is likely to be short, offering the pathogen only limited windows of opportunity for colonization of the host.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A bacterial pathogen uses dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a cue to target heat-stressed corals

et al. 2013

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Diseases are an emerging threat to ocean ecosystems. Coral reefs, in particular, are experiencing a worldwide decline because of disease and bleaching, which have been exacerbated by rising seawater temperatures. Yet, the ecological mechanisms behind most coral diseases remain unidentified. Here, we demonstrate that a coral pathogen, Vibrio coralliilyticus, uses chemotaxis and chemokinesis to target the mucus of its coral host, Pocillopora damicornis. A primary driver of this response is the host metabolite dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), a key element in the global sulfur cycle and a potent foraging cue throughout the marine food web. Coral mucus is rich in DMSP, and we found that DMSP alone elicits chemotactic responses of comparable intensity to whole mucus. Furthermore, in heat-stressed coral fragments, DMSP concentrations increased fivefold and the pathogen's chemotactic response was correspondingly enhanced. Intriguingly, despite being a rich source of carbon and sulfur, DMSP is not metabolized by the pathogen, suggesting that it is used purely as an infochemical for host location. These results reveal a new role for DMSP in coral disease, demonstrate the importance of chemical signaling and swimming behavior in the recruitment of pathogens to corals and highlight the impact of increased seawater temperatures on disease pathways.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A bacterial pathogen uses dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a cue to target heat-stressed corals

et al. 2013

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“…Adhesive tenacity (shear strength) in littoral gastropods (measured when the animal was stationary) data). Similarly, epibiotic cover was lower in burrowing versus non-burrowing individuals of a crab species (Wahl et al 1998). Intertidal S. haemastoma were also more clumped (Rilov et al 2001, G. Rilov pers.…”

Section: Morphological Adaptationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life on the edge: do biomechanical and behavioral adaptations to wave-exposure correlate with habitat partitioning in predatory whelks?

Rilov¹,

Benayahu²,

Gasith³

2004

Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser.

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The rocky littoral is a highly stressed but species rich environment in which adaptive trade-offs underlie the specialization that permits habitat partitioning by closely-related species. Habitat partitioning by prey species is generally attributed to differential tolerances to physiological stresses and competition for resources. Partitioning by predators is, however, less understood and also mainly related to thermal tolerance. We test the hypothesis that differential biomechanical and behavioral adaptations to wave action can result in habitat partitioning of mobile predators using 2 Mediterranean whelks. Stramonita haemastoma is found mainly at wave-exposed habitats on lower midlittoral or shallow (1 to 3 m) subtidal rocks. By contrast, Hexaplex trunculus is found only subtidally in more quiescent littoral environments (shallow bays and lagoons or deeper in wave-exposed sites). Morphologically, S. haemastoma is squatter than H. trunculus and the ratio of its foot surface area to the maximum projected surface area of its shell is 35% higher, making S. haemastoma less prone to dislodgment by waves. Mechanically, at least a 2-fold higher force (12 N) is required to dislodge S. haemastoma from the substrate, probably due to its larger foot, because tenacity per foot area was similar between species. The feeding technique and foraging behavior of S. haemastoma is also adapted to life in high-energy environments. Higher feeding rates and much shorter prey handling time compared to H. trunculus allow this species shorter foraging bouts that reduce the risk of dislodgment and increase predation success in wave-exposed areas. H. trunculus thrives in low-flow habitats where food density is low compared to shallow subtidal rocks. This is compensated for by a broader diet than S. haemastoma, feeding on any available food item, including conspecifics, and by reducing adhesion when not feeding, thus saving energy. S. haemastoma is more adapted to survive desiccation conditions than H. trunculus, which may exclude the latter from intertidal habitats. Our findings suggest that habitat partitioning between the whelks is maintained mainly by a 'distinct preferences' mechanism that might be relevant for other benthic predatory species.

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“…The fact that propagules of marine fouling organisms settle and attach easily on immersed untreated solid surfaces, while many slimy or gel-like surfaces, such as marine algae (Bhadury & Wright 2004) and sea anemones (Atalah et al 2013) are more resistant to epibiosis, has inspired to explore the potential of hydrogels and other highly hydrophilic materials for the control of marine biofouling (Ekblad et al 2008, Larsson et al 2007, Yandi et al 2014, and for informing the development of useful coatings. The prevention of epibiosis of marine organisms is sometimes the combined result of a strongly hydrated surface and, for example, secretion of substances with antifouling activity by the basibiont (Dobretsov et al 2013, Fusetani 2004, Rickert et al 2015, continuous production of mucus (Wahl et al 1998), or other specifically developed antifouling mechanisms. It has also been found that attachment and settlement of marine organisms on synthetic neutral hydrogels or hydrophilic polymers is very low both in laboratory and in marine field tests (up to 1 h exposure to bacteria or algal spores, 48 h incubation with barnacle cyprids, up to two months field immersion) (Ekblad et al 2008, Xie et al 2011, Yandi et al 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Charged hydrophilic polymer brushes and their relevance for understanding marine biofouling

et al. 2016

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Non‐toxic protection against epibiosis

Cited by 92 publications

References 35 publications

A bacterial pathogen uses dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a cue to target heat-stressed corals

A bacterial pathogen uses dimethylsulfoniopropionate as a cue to target heat-stressed corals

Life on the edge: do biomechanical and behavioral adaptations to wave-exposure correlate with habitat partitioning in predatory whelks?

Charged hydrophilic polymer brushes and their relevance for understanding marine biofouling

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